HOUSTON, Texas - The Saint Mary's golf team posted the sixth-lowest score of the day (313) along with second-ranked George Fox and moved up three spots into a tie for 13th at the NCAA Division III Championships on Thursday.

 

Williams College leapt past New York University and Methodist University to take the team lead going into Friday's final round as the Ephs turned in a blistering 300 on Thursday. Williams College has a three-day score of 915. New York University sits in second (923) while Claremont Mudd Scripps moved into the top three after a 308 today gave them a 926 overall. The 313 by the Belles sets a new program record for the lowest 18-hole score by the team at an NCAA Championship event. A mere seven strokes separated Saint Mary's from the 16th place spot, which would have ended the tournament run for the Belles.

 

Emily Salamy from Rhodes College holds the top spot in the chase for an individual national title after a 74 on Thursday gave her a three-day score of 223. Cordelia Chan from Williams College and Bailey Plourde from Centre College are both one stroke back with matching scores of 224. 

 

Sydney Hruskoci led the Belles with a 77 on Thursday and is tied for 32nd place overall with a three-day score of 236. The freshman had a team-best two-over par score on the back nine to start the day. She had a birdie on the par four No. 18 hole and drained an eagle on the par five No. 5 hole.

 

Hunter Kehoe shot a 78 on day three and is also in a group of players with Hruskoci tied for 32nd place overall with a 54-hole score of 236. Kehoe had a team-high 12 pars on Thursday to go along with a birdie on the par five No. 16 hole.

 

Summer Stillson carded a 78 in her third round and holds a share of 67th place overall with a three-day total of 246. She posted a team-best even-par score on the front nine to finish her day strong. Stillson had ten pars in the round and circled birdies on the par five No. 7 and par four No. 9 holes to wrap up her day.

 

Hannah Finley had her best day at the tournament yet with an 80 on Thursday as she sits in a tie for 94th place overall with a 259. The freshman had seven pars in her round and sunk back-to-back birdies on the par three No. 3 and the par four No. 4 holes to finish the front nine two-over par.

 

Maggie Sexton turned in an 89 and is in 105th place overall with a three-day score of 264. She had seven pars on the day for the Belles.

 

The final round of the 2019 NCAA Division III Championships begins at 8:30 a.m. CDT on Friday for the Belles at Bay Oaks Country Club. Saint Mary's will tee off starting from hole No. 10.