The Kent State women’s golf team captured its first top-three finish this season at the Evie Odum Invitational in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Last season, the Flashes had two top-three finishes in the fall season.

 “We still have some work to do,” coach Casey VanDamme said. “We have been on the road a lot this fall, so it was nice to see them get some positive results. We competed and were tied for the lead with five holes to go. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win, but it was good to compete at the top of the event.”

Sophomore Leon Takagi and graduate student Noramol Nuchsila placed third and fourth. 

Takagi and Nuchsila led the team to its best team finish of the year so far, placing second out of 15 teams.

Takagi had the best round of the whole tournament, shooting a four-under-par 66. She birdied five of six over holes 5-10. 

“She had the low round of the tournament yesterday, and she played incredibly well,” VanDamme said. “She had a good tournament, and I was happy to see that.”

Nuchsila shot a three-under score of 67 on the first day. She followed with two straight days at even par, finishing with a total of 207. 

“She did really well and also had a really solid tournament,” VanDamme said. “She was very steady throughout each round.”  

The Flashes will compete in their final tournament of the fall in Knoxville, Tennessee at the Mercedes Benz Invitational.  

“I just want to see continued growth from our players and controlling what they can control,” VanDamme said. “It’s a busy time for school, so we will try to have everyone get all the stuff done they need for school and be prepared.”

Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].