ST. JOSEPH, MO. – Lexi Hanson shot a first-round score of 79 to lead the University of Sioux Falls Women's Golf Team to a tie for ninth place at the Holiday Inn Express Classic at the St. Joseph Country Club on a windy Monday. The conditions were difficult with gusts over 40 mph and a consistent wind of 25-35 miles per hour. The second round on Tuesday will begin with a shotgun start at 9 am.

Hanson was 7 over par with her 79 to lead USF and is just three shots out of the lead and in a three-way tie for third. As a team, USF shot a first round total of 56 over par 344 and is tied with Upper Iowa. Central Oklahoma was 34 over par at 322 and leads the tournament by six shots over Northeastern State, which is 40 over par and 328 while SW Oklahoma State is at 43 over par and 331. Sydney Roberts of Central Oklahoma and Yasmin Hang of Northeastern State shot opening rounds of 4-over par 76 to take the individual lead.

In her round of 79, Hanson had birdies on par three hole nine and par three hole 11 as she ended up leading the tournament after one round in par three scoring. Hanson had eight pars a s she had nine hole total of 39 and 40.

With a 15-over par 87, senior Sydney Hubbard was tied for 42^nd. She had a birdie on the par five 18^th hole and finished with seven pars in her round which included nine hole totals of 46 and 41.

Sophomore Maggie Veenendall was also tied for 42^nd with a 15-over par 87. She had nine hole totals of 43 and 44. Veenendall birdied par five hole three and par 4 hole 12 along with totaling four pars.
Senior Lexi Jonas was tied for 72^nd at 19 over par 91. Jonas who had nine-hole totals of 44 and 47 finished with six pars during her first round.

Tied for 83^rd was senior Kyleigh Moran, who had nine hole totals of 48 and 46 to finish at 22-over par 94. She shot five pars in her round.