Kent State women’s golf takes first place two weeks in a row

Maddie Dolin

No. 13 Kent State won its second meet in a row, capturing the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate tournament in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Monday and Tuesday.

Kent State finished five strokes ahead of second-place Middle Tennessee State with a total of 870. The team opened with an 18-over par 303 and was in 10th place. The Flashes were 1-under par for the rest of the tournament.

“They didn’t get off to a very good start,” said coach Greg Robertson.” But they stayed patient and came out on top. They showed

a lot of heart.”

Senior Michaela Finn was the lowest scoring individual for Kent State at 214. Junior Pimnipa Panthong tied for eighth at 217.

“Tennessee is a good course and has always been a great challenge,” Finn said. “I think that was the best part for me, playing there again and for the last time. I struggled the whole tournament with my putting. Practicing lag putts and playing a little more aggressive probably would have helped me out.”

Finn was tied for 10th in their last meet with a score of 215. She improved this week with not only her placing, but also her score.

“Michaela played well from start to finish,” Robertson said. ”I think she put herself in a good position to possibly win individually.”

Sophomore Chloe Salort tied for 18th place at 221.

“Michaela, Pimnipa and Chloe were the reason we finished where we did,” Robertson said. ”Everyone came back in the second and third round and allowed us to win.”

Junior Karoline Stormo finished in a tie for 28th at 223.

The team’s next meet is at the Illini Women’s Golf Invitational at Medinah on Oct. 8 and 9.

Maddie Dolin is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].