April 18, 2023

Tech places third to cement best finish at OVC Championships since 2016

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team wrapped up the 2022-23 campaign with a good showing at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships Tuesday afternoon, finishing off the third round of competition at the Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals with a top-three performance.

By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team wrapped up the 2022-23 campaign with a good showing at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships Tuesday afternoon, finishing off the third round of competition at the Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals with a top-three performance.

The purple and gold delivered the second-best round of the entire tournament on Tuesday, securing a third-place finish following a 297 in the third round and total score of 938. The performance marked the Tech program's best since finishing as the OVC's runner-up back in 2016.

Morehead State captured the OVC title, ripping off a 295 in the final round for a 905 to best Little Rock by 15 shots. Morehead's Ruth Toennessen took home individual medalist honors and OVC Player of the Year accolades after finishing with a 222 following a 1-over 73 on Tuesday.

Delivering a top-10 showing for the Golden Eagles was Ainsley Simms, carding a 2-over 74 with three birdies to tie for seventh overall. The junior wrapped up the week with a 232 overall.

Playing in her final round in the purple and gold, Katrine Toennesseen saved her best round of the week for last, jumping up to an 11th-place finish. The senior capped a 236 after delivering the lowest score of the tournament, a 1-under 71 that featured an incredible four birdies and a 4-under performance on the front nine alone.

Finishing just one shot back was fellow senior Makenzie Morton, posting a 237 to place 12th overall. The veteran continued the strong day by the Golden Eagles, producing a 3-over 75 with a whopping 15 pars to wrap up her Tech career.

Elisabeth Toennessen tallied an 80 in her final round as a Golden Eagle, placing 15th with a birdie. She turned in a three-day total of 243.

Subbing in for freshman Kaydi Rhodes for the third and final round of action was Reagan Stuke. The sophomore made her lone trip around the links for the week count, registering a 77 with a birdie and 12 pars to help Tech to the great team score on the day.

Top 5 Teams:
1.	Morehead State	307-303-295=905	+41
2.	Little Rock	308-309-303=920	+56
3.	*Tennessee Tech*	*322-319-297=938*	*+74*
4.	Lindenwood	321-323-303=947	+83
5.	Tennessee State	339-329-323=991	+127

Leaderboard (34 Golfers)
1.	Ruth Toennessen (Morehead State)	74-75-73=222	+6
T-7.	Ainsley Simms	85-73-74=232	+16
11.	Katrine Toennessen	81-84-71=236	+20
12.	Makenzie Morton	78-84-75=237	+21
15.	Elisabeth Toennessen	80-83-80=243	+27
T-33.	Reagan Stuke	77=77	+5