Kelli Ann Strand finished in a tie for sixth with a six-under-par 210 following a final-round 72 to lead the Nebraska women’s golf team at the UCF Challenge in Orlando on Monday.
Strand, a sophomore from Challis, Idaho, earned her second top-10 finish and fourth top-15 performance through five tournaments this season. Her effort in the 96-player field helped Nebraska to a tie for 14th in an 18-team field that featured 16 top-100 teams.
The Huskers produced their best round of the tournament with a 289 (+1), including an even-par 72 from Miu Takahashi, who closed the tournament at 219 (+3) to tie for 45th.
Andrea Velez added a 72 of her own for the Huskers to climb into a tie for 84th individually at 229 (+13).
Lindsey Thiele completed Nebraska’s team score in the five-count-four format with a one-over-par 73. Thiele ended the tournament tied for 72nd at 227 (+11).
Arden Louchheim rounded out NU’s five-player lineup in a tie for 80th at 228 (+12) after a final-round 75 (+3). She matched teammate Sydney Harz (228), who was competing as an individual outside the Husker lineup.
North Carolina won the team title at 846 (-18), five strokes ahead of Kansas at 851. Miami took third at 853, while the hosts from UCF, the College of Charleston and Northwestern all tied for fourth at 856 (-8).
Texas Tech’s Lauren Zaretsky captured medalist honors with a three-round total of 203 (-13), while UCF’s Molly Smith took second at 206 (-10). Lily Hirst from Kansas finished third at 207 (-9).
The Huskers return to action at the Spartan Sun Coast Invitational in Sarasota, Fla. (Feb. 18-19).
UCF ChallengeFeb. 3-5, 2024Orlando, Fla.Eagle Creek Golf Card (Par 72/6,367 Yards)
Final Team Standings1. (28) North Carolina – 279-280-287=846 (-18)2. (46) Kansas – 287-285-279=851 (-13)3. (48) Miami – 287-280-286=853 (-11)T4. (78) College of Charleston – 282-289-285=856 (-8)T4. (13) UCF – 290-284-282=856 (-8)T4. (14) Northwestern – 290-284-282=856 (-8)7. (35) Kentucky – 286-293-283=862 (-2)8. (37) Virginia Tech – 289-289-286=864 (E)9. (29) Michigan State – 293-287-287=867 (+3)T10. (51) Iowa State – 298-286-284=868 (+4)T10. (57) Kent State – 291-290-286=868 (+4)T12. (99) UNCW – 290-286-296=872 (+8)T12. (36) North Texas – 298-286-288=872 (+8)T14. (52) Texas Tech – 293-294-291=878 (+14)T14. (61) Nebraska – 295-294-289=878 (+14)16. (108) Penn State – 302-295-286=883 (+19)17. (97) Old Dominion – 308-304-290=902 (+38)18. (125) Central Arkansas – 307-305-298=910 (+46)
Final Individual Standings1. Lauren Zaretsky, Texas Tech – 64-71-68=203 (-13)2. Molly Smith, UCF – 68-68-70=206 (-10)3. Lily Hirst, Kansas – 68-71-68=207 (-9)T4. Sara Byrne, Miami – 70-70-69=209 (-7)T4. Megan Streicher, North Carolina – 64-72-73=209 (-7)T6. Veronika Kedronova, Kent State – 72-71-67=210 (-6)T6. Kelli Ann Strand, Nebraska – 70-68-72=210 (-6)T8. Kayla Smith, North Carolina – 72-69-70=211 (-5)T8. Katie Lu, Michigan State – 70-70-71=211 (-5)T8. Adrian Anderson, College of Charleston – 68-72-71=211 (-5)Nebraska IndividualsT6. Kelli Ann Strand – 70-68-72=210 (-6)T45. Miu Takahashi – 73-74-72=219 (+3)T72. Lindsey Thiele – 79-75-73=227 (+11)T80. Arden Louchheim – 73-80-75=228 (+12)*T80. Sydney Harz – 77-78-73=228 (+12)T84. Andrea Velez – 80-77-72=229 (+13)
