Fennell Earns Medalist as Redbirds Take Fourth
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Illinois State freshman Elise Fennell became just the seventh freshman in program history to earn a tournament medalist honor, as she carded a three-round 209, tied for the second-lowest tournament score in program history, and the lowest-ever by a Redbird freshman.
Fennell had rounds of 68, 70, and 71 en route to her 209, a stroke better than the previous freshman school record of 210 set by classmate Jessica Jolly at the Clash of Boulder Creek from October 20-22 this fall. She joins Brianna Cooper (2010-11), Samantha Richdale (2002-03), Suzanne Walker (1996-97), Jane Hawkins (1985-86), Karen Schulthes (1980-81), and Pam Tyska (1979-80) as the only freshmen to have earned medalist honors while as a member of the Redbirds.
The Redbirds finished fourth in the 16-school tournament with an 882, the 11th-lowest tournament score in program history, using rounds of 294, 292, and 296, all within the 55 lowest single-round scores in program history. Illinois won the team title with an 875, with Denver (876), and Cincinnati (881) all finishing just ahead of the Redbirds. Minnesota (888), South Alabama (888), Princeton (889), Purdue (893), Northern Illinois (901), Eastern Michigan (902), Butler (917), Akron (919), Bradley (925), Tennessee Tech (934), Toledo (934), and Detroit Mercy (DNF).
Over the course of the 54 holes, Fennell was not over par at any point, and opened her day with a birdie and seven pars over her first eight holes of the tournament and was even par over the final 10 holes for her third consecutive under-par round, the 13th of her career, most by a freshman in program history.
Jinyoung Yun tied for 20th overall in the tournament with a 54-hole score of 224 (+8) following her final round of 76. She had a birdie and 12 pars over her final round, and five total birdies over the three rounds.
Jolly and Lory Paradis tied for 33rd with three-round scores of 226. Jolly had 15 pars on her four-over final round to finish with round scores of 73, 77, and 76 for her 226. Paradis had a trio of birdies and nine pars in her final round, closing her tournament with rounds of 78, 73, and 75.
Morgan Jones placed in a tie for 40th with a tournament score of 228 (77-77-74), as she had three birdies and 10 pars for her final-round 74. Playing as an individual, Dani Grace Schrock had three consecutive rounds of 79 for a 54-hole score of 237, which is tied for 73rd.
The Redbirds return to action Sunday, April 14 for the first of three rounds of the Missouri Valley Conference Championship, held at Annbriar Golf Course in Waterloo, Illinois.
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