Raiders Place Third at Marilynn Smith Invitational

Monday, September 7

Manhattan, KS - Colbert Hills

Middle Tennessee

Marilynn Smith Invitational

9/8/2015 4:47:00 PM | Women's Golf

George Takes Second with 1-Under Par Performance

By: @MTAthletics

Marilynn Smith Invitational Results

MANHATTAN, Kan. – After a weather-shortened day one at the Marilynn Smith Invitational, Middle Tennessee endured a long second day to finish in third place with a three-round total of 882 (+18).

The Blue Raiders began day two at Colbert Hills in strong fashion, concluding the second round at 1-over par (289), but ultimately finished behind SMU (873, +9) and TCU (875, +11). The third-place finish is still a strong one for MT as both teams they finished behind ranked in the Top 50 nationally last season.

It took under-par rounds from both SMU and TCU in order to pass the Blue Raiders on day two. TCU's third round 283 (-5) and SMU's second round 284 (-4) stand as two of the best three rounds in the tournament's history.

"Overall we had a good first tournament," Coach Chris Adams said. "The teams that came back to beat us played awesome. We didn't really beat ourselves. Both of those teams will play in the postseason."

Avery George started the year off with a solid showing, posting a 1-under par (72-68-75=215) total to finish in second place. She was only one stroke off of the pace set by tournament winner Lindsey McCurdy of SMU, and the pair were the only two in a field of 69 to finish the tournament under par.

"Avery played well and came up just short, but there isn't much you can do when the girl who beats you shot a 66 in the final round," Adams stated.

Freshman Hanley Long made a solid impression in her Blue Raider debut, firing a 71 (-1) in the final round of her first collegiate tournament. Her five-over par (75-75-71=221) three-round total placed her alongside teammate Samantha Gotcher (74-72-75=221) in a tie for 11th.

"To get that kind of production out of a freshman is very exciting," Adams said. "She was very steady throughout the day today. She even barely missed some birdie putts that could have made her round even better."

Maddie Denton (74-80-77=231) finished tied for 28th in the field while Jenna Burris (79-74-79=232) finished tied for 30th in her debut for Middle Tennessee.

Emily Miller competed in the tournament as an individual and put together a strong finish after a tough first round to end up tied for 36th at 18-over par (86-75-73=234).

Gotcher (39) and Denton (36) posted the most pars in the field, while Middle Tennessee led the 12-team tournament with 171 pars as a team. George also carded and impressive 12 birdies in the 54-hole event.

The Blue Raiders return to the course on Sept. 18-20 when they go to Franklin, Tenn. for the Mason Rudolph Invitational. The event will be hosted by Vanderbilt at The Legends South.