Arkansas women move up
The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, sparked by junior Maria Fassi, moved up two spots to third place on Thursday at the SEC Women's Championships in Hoover, Ala.
Fassi carded a second consecutive 2-under 70 on the Legacy Course at Greystone Golf and Country Club and trails tournament leader Ainhoa Olarra of South Carolina by one shot.
The No. 3 Razorbacks had the third-best score of the day, 5 over, to reach 16 over after two rounds, two shots behind No. 1 Alabama, which backed an opening-round 2 under with a 16 over in Thursday's windy conditions. No. 10 South Carolina will take an 8-shot lead into the third round after carding its second consecutive 3 over.
The field will be cut to eight teams and seeded for match play after today's round.
Georgia had the day's best round with a 2 over to move into fourth place at 20 over, followed by No. 13 Florida (23 over), No. 24 Vanderbilt (26 over) and No. 20 Auburn (31 over).
Arkansas junior Dylan Kim was 2 under for the day and in the lead at the turn before settling for a 1 over. She's in sole possession of third place at 1 under. Senior Alana Uriell recovered from a rough start to shoot even par and move up into a tie for 23rd.
Junior Kaylee Benton had the Razorbacks' final counting score, a 6 over that included two double bogeys on the final four holes after she made the turn at 1 under. Junior Cara Gorlei had Arkansas' non-counting round of 8 over.
ATU, HSU women tabbed
Arkansas Tech University and Henderson State University head into this weekend's Great American Conference Women's Championship ranked in the top five of the NCAA Central Region rankings, which were released Thursday.
The Golden Suns are No. 2 in the poll, just behind Augustana, while the Reddies are No. 5. Other GAC schools ranked in the poll include Southwestern Oklahoma State (No. 3), Oklahoma Baptist (No. 12), Southern Arkansas University (No. 13) and Harding University (No. 14).
The top 12 teams in the region's final poll, which will be released April 30, will earn a bid to the NCAA Division II Super Regional Tournament at Missouri Bluffs Golf Course in St. Charles, Mo.
SAU's Leed, ATU's Gean honored
Senior Helle Leed of Southern Arkansas University and Arkansas Tech University sophomore Austin Gean were named the Great American Conference's golfers of the week Thursday.
Leed finished second in the Natural State Classic, shooting 80-82--162 to finish in second place. It was her third top-10 finish in four spring tournaments.
Gean led Arkansas Tech to a victory at the Natural State Classic. His second-round 68, the low round of the tournament, helped him climb 20 spots to a share of the individual lead and helped the Wonder Boys rally from a 14-stroke deficit to win the team standings by three shots.
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