By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

GADSDEN, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team concluded the first of three rounds at the Chris Banister Golf Classic Sunday afternoon, sitting in sixth place through the opening 18 holes of action at RTJ at Silver Lakes.

The Golden Eagles constructed a 317 in the first round, sitting a comfortable 27 shots ahead of seventh-place Alabama State. Charleston Southern led the field, topping all teams by at least three strokes with a 292. Jacksonville State's Valentina Curet led all individuals with a 3-under 69.

Leading the Tech squad through day one was returning freshman Ainsley Simms, tying for 15^th overall. The youngster carded a 76 with a pair of birdies to open play. Katrine Toennessen finished next on the leaderboard for the Golden Eagles, posting two birdies of her own with a 78. The sophomore tied for 21^st in the field.

Tying for 28^th on the day was sophomore Makenzie Morton, recording one birdie through her first time around the course. She turned in an 81, one shot better than the next Golden Eagle in the lineup. Isabel York followed her with an 82, registering 11 pars along the way. The senior tied for 33^rd overall.

Rounding out Tech's lineup was sophomore Gittle Sciolis with an 87. Competing as individual, Hannah Bratton produced the top performance of the day by a Golden Eagle, firing a 1-over 73 to tie for fourth in the field of 43 golfers.

The second round is slated to begin with tee times starting at 8:00 a.m. CT Monday morning.

File photo by Thomas Corhern