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New recruit Kelli Nakano carded a 2-over-par 74 in her Sand Sharks debut -- on her 18th birthday, no less -- leading USCB to a team score of 313 and putting the Sand Sharks in second place after the first round of the Lady Falcon Invitational at the Old North State Club in New London, N.C.
The Sand Sharks are three shots behind Catawba College, and though things didn't proceed in the same manner as last week's win at the Battle at the Bayonet, USCB assistant coach Chris Cuneo was pleased to see his team scramble to post another solid score and sit near the top of the 14-team field.
"They were able to grind it out," Cuneo said. "It wasn't as smooth as last week, but the score was almost the same."
Nakano and Jennifer Morgan (92) cracked the lineup for the first time, displaying the depth of USCB's squad this season, and last week's top three continued their solid play. Brittany Cheek shot even par on the back nine to finish with a 77, Kaitlin O'Sullivan carded a 79 and Adriana Saavedra shot 83.
The highlight, though, was Nakano's round, which puts her in third place and three shots behind leader Sarah Jane Sinard of Carson-Newman. The freshman from Cave Creek, Ariz., made four birdies in her first collegiate round, showing the skills honed during a heavy tournament schedule as a junior.
"She's just a smart tournament golfer," Cuneo said.
The tournament concludes with a 10 a.m. shotgun start today.
Results after the first round of the Lady Falcon Invitational, played Monday at the par-72 Old North State Club in New London, N.C.
Team standings
Catawba College 310; USC Beaufort 313; Carson-Newman 315; Newberry College 321; Pfeiffer 324; California (Pa.) University 324; West Florida 325; Wingate 328; Lee 339; Berry College 340; Columbus State 343; Mount Olive 375; Concord 389; King College 391.
USCB individual results
3. Kelli Nakano 74; T6. Brittany Cheek 77; T9. Kaitlin O'Sullivan 79; T31. Adriana Saavedra 83; T53. Jennifer Morgan 92.
