Western leads after opening day at Northeastern State Invitational :: Viking freshman Carmichael third in medalist play, shoots 1-over 73 in first collegiate round

Viking freshman Carmichael third in medalist play, shoots 1-over 73 in first collegiate round

Sept. 18, 2006

MUSKOGEE, Okla. - Western Washington University freshman Breanna Carmichael (Tacoma/Bellarmine) fired a 1-over par 73, helping the Vikings to a four-stroke lead entering Tuesday's final round of the eighth annual Northeastern State University Women's Golf Invitational Tournament being played at the Cobblestone Golf Club.

The defending champion Vikings, who have placed fifth at the NCAA Division II Championships in each of the last two years, opened their 2006-07 season by shooting 304 on Monday in the 21-team tourney. Drury MO and Tarleton State TX are tied for second at 308 with host Northeastern State fourth at 311. Tied for fifth at 316 are St. Edward's TX and St. Mary's TX.

"We didn't play our best golf on the front nine, but everybody stepped up on the back nine," said Western coach Bo Stephan. "You can't really ask for much more after just five days of practice.

"We had a lot of rain Sunday and the course is playing a little easier than last year, there wasn't the wind factor today."

The 5-foot-3 Carmichael, who placed 10th at the Class 4A state tournament as a senior last spring, is third in medalist play, having two birdies and three bogeys in her first collegiate round.

"She generates a lot of clubhead speed and hits the ball very hard," Stephan said. "This is a sign of good things to come. If she can improve on her putting and chipping, she's going to be a very, very good player. She hits the ball awesome."

Western's Catherine Kim (Jr., Bellevue/Skyline) shot 75 and is seventh, and Katie Bender (Sr., Tacoma/Bellarmine) and Allison Gillette (Jr., Seattle/Ballard) each carded 78s and are tied for 13th. The Vikings' Lianne Matkin (Fr., Spokane/Northwest Christian) shot 81 (30th).

Leading the medalist standings at 2-under 70 is Jessica Harbin from St. Mary's. In second with an even par 72 is Drury's Tanya Choade.

"I was very impressed with a lot of teams in this field," said Stephan. "There seem to be a lot of good freshmen. We played a pretty good round today and five teams are within 12 shots of us."