Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Jackrabbit Invitational
Blue Raiders claim Jackrabbit Invitational title
3/15/2022 4:18:00 PM | Women's Golf
All five members of the lineup finished in the top 20
BOULDER CITY, Nev. – Middle Tennessee claimed its first team title in three years Tuesday with a first-place finish at the Jackrabbit Invitational, recording a collective 864 (E) at the par-72, 6,343-yard Boulder Creek Golf Course. The Blue Raiders moved up from third place at the start of the day to finish with a three-stroke advantage over host South Dakota State in second place.
The Blue Raider lineup of Caroline Caudill, Madison Smith, Molly Bebelaar, Sophie Burks and Catherine Caudill all finished inside the top 20 individually. Burks finished fifth at 215 (-1) for the tournament after carding a 68 (-4) that tied her career low.
"Great finish for the team," head coach Chris Adams said. "Everyone played great, and to make the run we did in the final round was awesome to watch. Sophie had a great round with 4-under, and everyone contributed to a great team win. This will give the team some confidence going into the rest of the spring season."
Burks carded six birdies Tuesday to finish with 12 in the event, one short of the tournament lead. She earned her second top-five finish of the season and the sixth of her career, moving into a tie with Maggie McGill for fifth in Blue Raider history in career top-five finishes.
Smith finished in a tie for eighth at 216 (E) for the lowest 54-hole score of her career, as well as her first top-10 finish. She shot a 71 (-1) with four birdies Tuesday for her first below-par round of the season.
Caroline Caudill carded her eighth round of par-or-better of the season with a 72 (E) Tuesday. Her tie for 13th at 217 (+1) was her fifth top-20 individual finish of 2021-22.
Bebelaar notched four birdies of her own Tuesday to finish the round with a 73 (+1). Her 54-hole score of 219 (+3) was her lowest of the season and gave her a tie for 16th, her second-best finish of the season.
Catherine Caudill rounded out the Blue Raider lineup at 220 (+4), taking sole possession of 19th place. Her score of 72 (E) was her best since the first round of the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate on September 20.
Playing as individuals, Taylor Edlin tied for 39th at 229 (+13), and Abbie Lee tied for 59th at 234 (+18). Edlin carded a 72 (E) on Tuesday to move up 15 spots from her position at the end of the second round.
Middle Tennessee won its 20th team title in program history. MT's 54-hole score of 864 is the seventh lowest on record. Burks' third-round score of 68 tied the 16th-lowest round in program history.
The Blue Raiders are back in action March 27-29 at the Chattanooga Classic.
Players Mentioned
