(Editor’s note: Montana State University press release)
CORNVILLE, Arizona – Delaney Elliott completed her best individual career finish for Montana State and Sofia Rodriguez Todd fired her best single round of her career as the Bobcat golf team wrapped up the Red Rocks Invitational on Sunday, March 24, at Agave Highlands golf course.
Elliott, who sat atop the individual standings entering final round action, continued her strong play Sunday. The MSU junior carded a 3-over-par 74 in her final 18 holes of the tournament to finish with 209 strokes (4-under) through 54 holes. That mark is the second lowest 54-hole tournament score in program history, one stroke behind Paige Crawford’s school-record 208 she recorded at the 2013 Big Sky Championship.
The Superior, Colo., native earned a tie for second in the individual standings. It was Elliott’s first top-five showing of her collegiate career. Elliott, who competed as an individual, tied with California Baptist’s Jocelyn Chee and Gonzaga’s Quyn Duong for second overall. Southern Utah’s Chanikan Yongyuan claimed medalist honors by totaling a 207.
MSU freshman Sofia Rodriguez Todd had a standout third round. Rodriguez Todd fired an even-par 71 behind two birdies and two bogeys. The 71 was her best 18-hole score as a Bobcat and her 12-over 225 over 54 holes was her best tournament mark of her career by nine strokes. She led the MSU lineup by tying for 53rd overall.
“Delaney had an incredible tournament,” Montana State head coach Brittany Basye said. “I’m super proud of her and we talked after the meet about how that can give her some great confidence heading into the next three tournaments.
“We need to keep building as a team. Sofia had a great round today shooting a 71. She played really steady and hit some good shots.”
Freshman Lucia Prieto Romano also closed out her best 54-hole tournament in her fourth appearance as a Bobcat. Prieto Romano shot a 5-over 76 Sunday and carded a 232 over the two-day span. She finished tied for 77th.
Coral Schulz, Clare Dittemore and Lilly Navarre rounded out MSU’s lineup. Navarre shot a final-round 82 while Schulz and Dittmemore each registered an 83. Schulz tied for 80th with a three-round score of 233, Dittemore tied for 88th at 235 and Navarre tied for 100th with a 241.
Junior Kelly Hooper, who played in the tournament individually, fired a 78 in the final round. She tied for 62nd by carding a 15-over 228.
New Mexico State won the team title by finishing with 853 strokes over three rounds. Montana State completed play with a three-round total of 924 (312-300-312) to take 17th.
“We just need to keep moving forward,” Basye said. “The big thing is where we go from here. We head to Fresno next and we’ve got a couple weeks left until conference. We’ve just got to keep working hard.”
The Bobcat golf team next heads to Fresno, Calif., for the Fresno State Classic. The opening 36 holes of the tournament take place on April 1 at Copper River Country Club.
