After fourth-place finish, women’s golf shoots for more

For the Nebraska women's golf team, a little rain wasn't enough to affect their overall playing, even after it canceled the first day of the Alamo Invitational.

The 3 1/2 inches of rain the day before, however, did make for some "flushy plays."

The women placed fourth out of 12 teams at the tournament yesterday with an 18-hole total of 302. All five Cornhuskers who competed had scores of 77 or better, with the lowest individual score belonging to sophomore Maddie Sheils, who tied for 10th place. Sheils' one-over-par 73 was a career-best score.

"Maddie played really solid and really refocused," head coach Robin Krapfl said.

Similar to the weather conditions, Krapfl said the team got off to a bad start, but "continued to fight" to finish higher than expected.

Krapfl said that while she felt fourth place was a solid finish for her team, she wants them to strive to be better.

"There's no doubt we could have played equally with the top teams," Krapfl said.

Sophomore Natalie Gleadall and senior Charlotte Wendner tied for 22nd with scores of 77. Gleadall said she started off strong, making a birdie on her fourth hole.

"I thought (the tournament) was pretty good," Gleadall said. "The weather wasn't that great, but the course was beautiful."

In contrast to Gleadall, freshman Erin Sharpee said she had a rough start, but ultimately tied for 28th place with senior JC Stevenson with a score of 77.

"I didn't think we would be that successful," Sharpee said. "Fourth place is respectable."

The Nebraska men's golf team also finished in the middle of the pack at its tournament yesterday when the Huskers tied for seventh at the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate in New Mexico. Senior Brandon Crick led the team with a one-under-par 70 in the final round to tie for fourth place.

Sophomore Scott Willman, who last week tied for second place at the UMKC Bill Ross Intercollegiate, had a career-low 68 in the final round, but tied for 19th. Willman said he was disappointed with the way he played.

"I played better than I scored," Willman said. "I didn't putt well and had some mistakes toward the last round."

Junior Brett Nymeyer tied for 41st with a score of 217 total, junior Andrew Wyatt tied for 53rd and junior Mike Coatman had a score of 221, tying for 59th place.

The women's team has one tournament left in their fall season in Austin, Texas, taking place Nov. 2-3. Krapfl said their goal is to not settle for another solid finish and to win the entire tournament.

"We need to play well and put everything together that we've learned," Krapfl said.

paigecornwell@dailynebraskan.com