Kelli Ann Strand shot a four-under-par 68 on Sunday to climb into the top five with a 36-hole score of 138 (-6) through two rounds at the UCF Challenge in Orlando.
Strand, a sophomore from Challis, Idaho, recorded four birdies and 14 pars in a solid second round on the par-72, 6,367-yard layout at the Eagle Creek Golf Club. Her performance allowed her to move up four spots from a tie for eighth in a 96-player field after Saturday’s opening round.
Strand also cut the gap from the top spot in the tournament standings in half, as Texas Tech’s Lauren Zaretsky managed a 71 (-1) on Sunday following a sizzling 64 (-8) on Saturday. At nine-under-par through 36 holes, Zaretsky owns a narrow one-shot lead over UCF’s Molly Smith (68-68) and North Carolina’s Megan Streicher (64-72), who are tied for second at 136 (-8).
Strand is in a three-way tie for fourth with Kentucky’s Laney Frye (72-66) and UNCW’s Victoria Levy (69-69) at 138 heading into Monday’s final round, which is scheduled for a 7:30 a.m. (CT) shotgun start.
Although Strand moved up the leader board, the Huskers slipped two spots in the team standings on Sunday despite posting a 294 (+6) after Saturday’s opening-round 295 (+7). Nebraska sits in 15th place with a two-round total of 589 (+13) in the 18-team field that features 16 top-100 teams.
North Carolina maintained its hold on the top spot in the team race with a second-round 280 (-8) to enter Monday’s final round at 559 (-17). The Tar Heels own an eight-stroke lead over No. 48 Miami, which matched North Carolina’s 280 on Sunday to close the day at 567 (-9).
Junior Miu Takahashi (Nasu-Machi, Japan) put together Nebraska’s second-best round on Sunday with a 74 (+2). She enters the final round in a tie for 43rd at 147 (+3).
Senior Lindsey Thiele (Wahoo, Neb.) added a second-round 75 (+3) to her opening-round 79 (+7) to enter Monday in a tie for 83rd at 154 (+10).
Junior Andrea Velez (Pereira, Colombia) closed out the scoring for the Huskers with a 77 (+5). She heads to the final round in a tie for 90th at 157 (+13).
Freshman Arden Louchheim (Park City, Utah), who carded a 73 on Saturday, settled for an 80 on Sunday to complete Nebraska’s lineup. She is tied for 74th.
Sydney Harz (Freiburg, Germany), who is playing as an individual outside Nebraska’s lineup, shot a 78 (+6) to complete her second round in a tie for 86th at 155 (+11).
Weather has affected the schedule in Orlando but the teams have completed the first 36 holes a day ahead of schedule and will try to close the tournament on Monday.
UCF ChallengeFeb. 3-5, 2024Orlando, Fla.Eagle Creek Golf Card (Par 72/6,367 Yards)
Team Standings (Two Rounds)1. (28) North Carolina – 279-280=559 (-17)2. (48) Miami – 287-280=567 (-9)3. (78) College of Charleston – 282-289=571 (-5)4. (46) Kansas – 287-285=572 (-4)T5. (14) Northwestern – 290-284=574 (-2)T5. (13) UCF – 290-284=574 (-2)7. (99) UNCW – 290-286=576 (E)8. (37) Virginia Tech – 289-289=578 (+2)9. (35) Kentucky – 286-293=579 (+3)10. (29) Michigan State – 293-287=580 (+4)11. (57) Kent State – 291-290=581 (+5)T12. (51) Iowa State – 298-286=584 (+8)T12. (36) North Texas – 298-286=584 (+8)14. (52) Texas Tech – 293-294=587 (+11)15. (61) Nebraska – 295-294=589 (+13)16. (108) Penn State – 302-295=597 (+21)T17. (125) Central Arkansas – 307-305=612 (+36)T17. (97) Old Dominion – 308-304=612 (+36)
Individual Standings (Two Rounds)1. Lauren Zaretsky, Texas Tech – 64-71=135 (-9)T2. Molly Smith, UCF – 68-68=136 (-8)T2. Megan Streicher, North Carolina – 64-72=136 (-8)T4. Laney Frye, Kentucky – 72-66=138 (-6)T4. Kelli Ann Strand, Nebraska – 70-68=138 (-6)T4. Victoria Levy, UNCW – 69-69=138 (-6)7. Lily Hirst, Kansas – 68-71=139 (-5)T8. Sara Byrne, Miami – 70-70=140 (-4)T8. Katie Lu, Michigan State – 70-70=140 (-4)T8. Adrian Anderson, College of Charleston – 68-72=140 (-4)
Nebraska IndividualsT4. Kelli Ann Strand – 70-68=138 (-6)T43. Miu Takahashi – 73-74=147 (+3)T74. Arden Louchheim – 73-80=153 (+9)T83. Lindsey Thiele – 79-75=154 (+10)*T86. Sydney Harz – 77-78=155 (+11)T90. Andrea Velez – 80-77=157 (+13)
