ORLANDO, Fla. - The Middle Tennessee women's golf team continued the trend of improving its play round-by-round and it paid off at the Sun Belt Conference Championships as the Blue Raiders finished tied for fourth.
· Photos: Round Three Gallery
The Blue Raiders shot their best round of the tournament on Wednesday, a 301, to pass South Alabama and catch UALR and finish in the tie for fourth. Middle Tennessee improved its play each round, going from 315 in the first round, 306 in the second, and then 301 in the finale round.
"I was pleased with how we came back each day and improved as a team," Middle Tennessee head coach Rachael Short said. "We kept battling out there and did our best to make a run and we were able to pass some teams in the process. I wish we could have got off to a better start in the first round and see what could have happened, but I'm pleased with the effort we gave and the way we battled."
Blue Raider junior Taryn Durham was named All-Sun Belt Conference for the third time in her illustrious career after shooting a 9-under 225 for the tournament. She finished tied for fifth overall after posting a 1-over 73 Wednesday.
"I know I could have done better and this was not one of my best tournaments, but it wasn't a bad one," Durham said. "We fought hard as a team and kept coming back. I was proud of how we continued to make up ground after a tough first round."
Senior Maggie McGill capped her career in style by tying for 10th with a 12-over 228. She posted a 3-over 75 Wednesday and was consistent in the final two rounds to help the team make a move.
Sophomore Mallory Bishop continued her improved play down the stretch and finished 27th with a 236, while freshman Clara Leathers finished 30th with a 238. Sophomore Leigh Wilkins finished the tournament with a 241 and was tied for 35th.
Denver won its fourth straight team championship with a 893 to finish 13 shots in front of second-place Florida International. Florida Atlantic was third.
Sun Belt Conference Golf Championships
First Round Scores
Walt Disney World's Eagle Pines Golf Course
Orlando, Fla.
1 Denver 298-298-297 893
2 Florida International 308-305-293 906
3 Florida Atlantic 314-304-301 922
4 Middle Tennessee 315-306-301 922
UALR 312-308-302 922
6 South Alabama 311-309-310 930
7 Louisiana-Monroe 319-319-301 939
8 North Texas 311-318-317 946
9 Arkansas State 320-321-312 953
10 Western Kentucky 334-320-311 965
11 Troy 335-317-318 970
MT Team Scores
T4 Middle Tennessee 315-306-301 922
T5 Taryn Durham 77-75-73 225
T10 Maggie McGill 80-73-75 228
27 Mallory Bishop 78-77-81 236
30 Clara Leathers 80-81-77 238
T35 Leigh Wilkins 81-84-76 241
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