After finishing sixth at the Fossum Invitational last week, the Michigan women’s golf team’s performance this past weekend at the Lady Northern Invitational in Iowa City seemed to be pointing them in the right direction.
- Paul Wong
- DANNY MOLOSHOK/Daily
Sophomore sensation, Laura Olin aided the Wolverines
The Wolverines finished fourth out of 12 teams with 910, 15 shots behind first-place Kent State (895), and 12 shots behind Penn State and Indiana (898 apiece).
“I am satisfied with our scores this weekend,” Michigan coach Kathy Teichert said. “I’m pleased with our progress. We are always striving to get better.”
Kim Benedict shot 74-74-75, finishing at 223 to tie for fifth place overall, which was a great improvement from her 21st-place finish after shooting 235 last week in East Lansing.
“It’s great to see some players step up,” Teichert said. “Sarah Kruer and Laura Olin came through.”
Kruer shot 79-74-70, which was good enough to tie for 15th place, as well as a great improvement from her 36th place finish in the previous week. Sophomore Laura Olin finished tied for 12th, stabilizing the team with her consistency. She also led the Wolverines with her 11th place finish at the Fossum Invitational last week. Amy Schmucker finished tied for 37th at 236.
“Amy hit a lot of greens. Our main focus is to keep working with her to improve,” Teichert said.
Other finishers included Stephanie Stascik, who shot 238 to tie for 41st, and Courtney Goebel, who totaled 253 to finish 61st. Pleased with the tournament results, Teichert and the team realize that there is still work to do.
“A couple of our players thought they could have done better. When we have three or four or five of our girls in the top 20, then we are in good shape,” Teichert said. “Our goal is to finish in the top three (overall) for every tournament.”
The Wolverines will see if this progressive trend will continue at the Women’s Collegiate Shootout in Franklin, Ind. next Monday.
As for Teichert’s outlook for next week, she said “I am still trying to enjoy the outcome of this past weekend.”