Boulder City, Nev. - The Eastern Washington University women's golf team had two top-20 finishers in freshman Mercedes Khumnark and senior Marissa Borja, after the first round day of the Big Sky Conference Championship on Monday, April 18.
Eastern shot for a total of 307 in the first of three tournament rounds at the Boulder Creek Golf Club.
"I feel today was a good start to the tournament. I know this championship can create some nervous energy for some of the younger players, but overall we handled ourselves well," said head coach Brenda Howe.
Leading the team was Mercedes Khumnark, shooting a 73, just one stroke over par. She finished amongst the top players, tying for sixth in the 60-player field. Coming off her best performance of the season last event, Marissa Borja finished in a tie for 14th with a score of 74.
Junior Hannah Kim shot a 78 and placed 34th, while sophomore Kimberlie Miyamoto will look to improve next round after scoring an 82; well above her season average.
"We're within striking distance to the upper half (or better) of the field. This is the strongest our conference has been, and it's still anyone's ballgame," said Howe.
EWU finished in a tie for eighth place with Montana. Northern Arizona sits in first place with a score of 290, just two over par, while Weber State (303) in sixth and Montana State (305) in seventh are within striking distance.
This is the Eagles' second time playing at the Boulder Creek Golf Club this year. The experience from their fourth place finish in the Boulder Creek Invitational on March 7 should aid them in the upcoming rounds.
Next round will begin tomorrow, Tuesday, April 19, with the tournament conclusion on Wednesday, April 20.
Eastern Washington —307
T6 - Mercedes Khumnark (5) - 73
T14 - Marissa Borja (2) - 74
T34 - Hannah Kim (4) - 78
T46 - Kimberlie Miyamoto (3) - 82
T50 - Kirsten Ishikawa (1) - 83
