By: Logan Anderson
ELKHORN, Neb. – The University of Sioux Falls women's golf team finished sixth out of 10 teams at the Indian Creek Shootout, held October 19-20 at Indian Creek Golf Club. The Cougars posted a two-round team score of 641 (+65), improving seven strokes between rounds at the par-72, 5,906-yard course in the tournament hosted by Wayne State College.
Competing individually, Bryn Huber led all Sioux Falls golfers with a tie for 11th place at 156 (+12), while Sophia Karsnia paced the Cougars' team lineup with a tie for 18th at 159 (+15). Sioux Falls placed four golfers inside the top 25 and saw six of its seven competitors shoot 80 or better during the final round.
Tournament Snapshot
How It Happened
Sioux Falls opened the tournament with a team score of 324 (+36), led by Karsnia's opening-round 78 (+6). Tanna Phares followed with an 81 (+9), while Gwen Latunski added an 82 (+10) and Avery Nelson rounded out the scoring with an 83 (+11).
The Cougars found their rhythm in the final round, shaving seven strokes off their opening performance to post a 317 (+29). Phares, Latunski and Abbie Ritzer each carded rounds of 79 (+7), while Nelson contributed an 80 (+8). Ritzer delivered the team's biggest improvement, cutting nine strokes from her opening-round 88.
Sioux Falls also received strong performances from its individual competitors, as Huber recorded matching rounds of 78 (+6) and Ava Cooper improved her score in the final round.
Top Cougar Performers
Huber led the Cougars with a consistent two-day performance, recording consecutive rounds of 78 (+6) to finish tied for 11th at 156 (+12). Competing as an individual, Huber posted the lowest two-round total among Sioux Falls golfers and finished three strokes ahead of the team's top scorer.
Karsnia led the team lineup, finishing tied for 18th at 159 (+15). She opened the tournament with a six-over 78 before closing with an 81 (+9), earning her second consecutive top-20 finish.
Phares finished tied for 21st at 160 (+16), improving two strokes between rounds with scores of 81 and 79. Latunski followed closely in a tie for 23rd at 161 (+17), recording a three-stroke improvement with a final-round 79.
Nelson finished tied for 29th at 163 (+19), lowering her score from an opening 83 to an 80 on Tuesday. Ritzer tied for 34th at 167 (+23), highlighted by her nine-stroke improvement in the final round. Cooper, competing individually, also tied for 34th at 167 (+23), recording rounds of 83 and 84.
Cougar Scorecard
Team Competitors – 6th, 641 (+65)
Sophia Karsnia – T18 – 78-81 – 159 (+15)
Tanna Phares – T21 – 81-79 – 160 (+16)
Gwen Latunski – T23 – 82-79 – 161 (+17)
Avery Nelson – T29 – 83-80 – 163 (+19)
Abbie Ritzer – T34 – 88-79 – 167 (+23)
Individuals
Bryn Huber – T11 – 78-78 – 156 (+12)
Ava Cooper – T34 – 83-84 – 167 (+23)
Coach's Corner
Another poor first round put us in a position that meant we really needed to put up a good number on Tuesday to get us back in contention. Unfortunately that's been our pattern all fall. So, being ready to play on the first hole of our first round will be our focus when the spring season gets underway.
-Head Coach, Wade Merry
Up Next
USF Women's Golf has now concluded their fall season. They will return to action on March 7th in Owasso, Oklahoma for the Hillcat Classic.
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