WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – Middlebury put up a fight on day two of the Williams Spring Invitational, but fell short of topping host Williams.
Taconic once again proved a tough test for the field. Not only was it cold and windy, but the pins were tucked away in difficult spots on many holes. Under such conditions, only two players in the field shot in the 70s – Middlebury's Michelle Peng and Williams' Emily Wickstrom.
Middlebury led the teams on the day at 329, two ahead of Williams' 331. Williams claimed the title with a total of 652, followed by Middlebury at 662, and Amherst at 379. Vassar and Williams' B team rounded out the top five at 687 and 706.
To lead the Williams A team was Emily Wickstrom '14 who shot the day's best 77 (along with Middlebury's Michelle Peng). Wickstrom went five-over on the front nine, but rallied to shoot just one over on her last nine. Following Wickstrom was Georgiana Salant '14 who struggled with her putting, but still posted a very good 83. Salant's consistent play catapulted her to second place individually, just two behind the individual medalist Flora Weeks of Middlebury who shot 81 on the day for a 159 total. Becky Miller '13 and Victoria Student '13 had rocky front nines, shooting 9 over and 12 over respectively. However, both kept their heads and performed well on the back nine, making birdies on the last to post 85 and 86. Day one leader Shelby Shote '15 had a rough second day, shooting an 89, but good enough to place her in the top three for the tournament.
The Williams B team had a rough second day as well. Paige Whidbee '15 who had a fantastic first round 79, carded a 85 on day two. She was followed by Grace Gordon '12 who finished her collegiate career with a 90, including a birdie. Caroline Sawin '15 and Maggie Mitts '15 shot twin 92s while Izzy Lee '12 posted a 107 for the final tournament of her Williams career. Despite the constant flurries of wind, seniors Gordon and Lee were unfazed and finished their Williams careers leading the B team to a solid fifth place finish.
The team now waits to hear whether they will get an at-large bid to the national tournament. They find out tomorrow if their effort in the final tournament of the season proved enough.
