McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University women's golf team began the NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship with a strong performance. Competing at Keene Trace Golf Club's Keene Run course in Nicholasville, Kentucky, the team recorded an opening round score of 305 on the par-72, 5826-yard course. This result places them tied for third among 29 teams.

Senior Emma Thorman from Macomb, Illinois led her team with an even-par score of 72. She was one of eight competitors to achieve a round of par or better and is currently tied for fourth place individually after making five birdies.

Other notable performances included senior Lexi Onsrud from Normal, Illinois who scored a five-over 77. Juniors Macy Ludwig from Effingham, Illinois and Jadyn Spinks from Bloomington, Illinois both finished their rounds with scores of 78.

Emory University leads the tournament standings with a first-round score of 295, followed by Carnegie Mellon at 298. Illinois Wesleyan shares third place with Pomona-Pitzer College at 305. Karen Lee from UT Dallas leads the individual leaderboard after shooting a four-under 68.

The competition continues tomorrow as Illinois Wesleyan looks to improve its standing. Junior Jacque O'Neill from Harbor Springs, Michigan will be the first player to tee off for the Titans at 11:50 a.m. Live results are available through Golfstat via the link on the women's golf schedule page of iwusports.com.

Current standings for IWU players are as follows:

- Tied for fourth: Emma Thorman with a score of 72

- Tied for thirty-fifth: Lexi Onsrud with a score of 77

- Tied for forty-eighth: Macy Ludwig and Jadyn Spinks each with scores of 78

- Sixty-eighth: Jacque O'Neill with a score of 80