EDMOND, Okla. - The Fort Hays State women's golf team opened the spring season with a 17th-place finish at the Diffee Ford Lincoln Invitational this week (March 2-3) at KickingBird Golf Course, a par-70, 5,828-yard layout.
 
The Tigers fired a season-low 318 in the second round, ten shots lower than their previous best round of the year. That round of 38-over followed a 329 in the first round, giving FHSU a two-round total of 87-over 647.
 
Alexis Elliott led the team with a two-round total of 17-over 157, posting rounds of 79 and 78 to finish in a tie for 32nd place. Hayden York turned in rounds of 84 and 78 to finish in 53rd place at 22-over 162, while Avery Blasi was one shot back at 23-over 163 thanks to rounds of 78 and 85.
 
Kiley Maier opened the week with an 89 on Monday before carding five birdies in a team-best round of 7-over 77, tied for the most birdies in a single round by any player in the event.
 
Brynn Ray rounded out the lineup with rounds of 88 and 93, while Jaycee Oakley (90-87) and Emma Walz (86-91) both competed as individuals.
 
Southwestern Oklahoma State took home the team title with a two-round total of 34-over, while Sophia Blake of Redlands CC secured first place in the individual race at 2-over thanks to rounds of 72 and 70.
 
The Tigers will return to action late next week (March 12-13) when they travel to Litchfield Park, Ariz. for the SMSU Challenge.
 
Full FHSU Results
17th - Fort Hays State - 329 - 318 -- 647 - 87-over
T32nd - Alexis Elliott - 79 - 78 -- 157 - 17-over
T53rd - Hayden York - 84 - 78 -- 162 - 22-over
T60th - Avery Blasi - 78 - 85 -- 163 - 23-over
T74th - Kiley Maier - 89 - 77 -- 166 - 26-over
T90th - Jaycee Oakley* - 90 - 87 -- 177 - 37-over
T90th - Emma Walz* - 86 - 91 -- 177 - 37-over
T92nd - Brynn Ray - 88 - 93 -- 181 - 41-over