Central women's golf

Downes takes third place for Central

OSKALOOSA—Eva Downes (sophomore, Woodstock, Ill., Marian Catholic Central HS) came back with a team-low 86 Saturday to take third at the Central Invitational women’s golf tourney Saturday.  

Competing at the par-71 Edmundson Golf Course in Oskaloosa after playing the par-71 Bos Landen Golf Club in Pella Friday, Downes closed with 91-86-177. She was a shot better than Jordan Williams (junior, Pella) who shot 89-89—178.

Buena Vista’s Chelsea Anderson took medalist honors at 79-86—165 with Graceland’s Natalia Renjifo second at 83-85—168. There were no team scores in the 15-player tourney.

Nicole Wenstrand (freshman, Essex, Shenandoah HS) followed for the Dutch at 95-87—182 with Meghan Swella (junior, Yucca Valley, Calif.) at 104-98—202, Amanda Sullivan (senior, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) at 101-102—203, Amanda Lindsey Ellenson (freshman, Amana, Clear Creek-Amana HS) at 100-104—204, Janelle Stevens (freshman, West Bend, West Bend-Mallard HS) at 100-114—214 and Allison Crooks (freshman, Moline, Ill.) at 113-106—219.

“We just need to be more consistent,” coach Jodee Schaben said. “We have to be able to put together a solid 18 holes. We have the ability to hang with a lot of the Iowa Conference teams that we haven’t been able to hang with so far. But we really need that fourth player to score well. We need someone to step up.”

Central will get its chance at the conference tournament next Friday and Saturday. The first two rounds of the 72-hole tournament will be played at the Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls with the final two rounds Oct. 5-6 at the Meadows Golf Course in Asbury, near Dubuque.