Utah Tech finished in 12th place at the Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational, hosted by Western Michigan University. The tournament concluded on Sunday at the Quail Run Golf Club in Rio Verde, Arizona.
The Trailblazers began the event with a 23-over-par score of 311 on Friday. On Saturday, they improved significantly, posting a 4-over 292, which was tied for the second-lowest team round of the day among the 19 teams competing. This performance moved Utah Tech up eight places to a tie for seventh after two rounds.
However, Utah Tech was unable to maintain that momentum in Sunday’s final round and recorded another 311. Their total for three rounds was a plus-50 score of 914.
Bradley University led after two rounds and maintained its position to win the team title with scores of 300-291-294 for a total of 885 (+21), finishing four strokes ahead of Xavier University (292-293-304—889; +25). Missouri State and Bowling Green both tied for third place with totals of 893 (+29).
Senior Jane Olson and junior Mia Cesarek were Utah Tech’s top finishers, each tying seven other golfers for 30th place at plus-12 (228). Olson opened with a 7-over-par round of 79 but recovered with a season-low tying score of 73 in the second round, which included three birdies. She finished with a final-round score of 76 and had five birdies overall during the tournament.
Cesarek posted Utah Tech’s lowest first-round score with a 75 and followed it up with rounds of 76 and 79. Over her three rounds, she made a total of 41 pars.
Sophomore Gabrielle Roznicki contributed to Utah Tech’s strong showing on Saturday by shooting her collegiate career-low round—a one-under-par 71—which featured her first collegiate eagle as well as one birdie. She also shot rounds of 79 and an eight-over-par 80 to finish tied for 41st at plus-14 (230).
Sophomore Maria Purroy Galan also scored an eagle during her second round and tallied four birdies over three days. Her scores were consistent: rounds of 78, 77, and another 78 put her in a tie for 56th at plus-17 (233).
Junior Samantha Phelan tied four others for 72nd place at plus-21 (237) after posting scores of 85, then improving to a second-round score of 74 before closing with a 78.
Utah Tech will play next at the Southern Utah/Pizza Hut Lady Thunderbird Invite from March 6–8 at Sunbrook Golf Course in St. George.
