Sarah Paulson Sept. 21, 2008

Paulson sixth at Illinois Wesleyan

NORMAL, ILL.—Central College freshman Sarah Paulson (Ottumwa) added another impressive outing to her rookie resume, finishing sixth out of 120 players at the 23-team Illinois Wesleyan University Fall Classic women’s golf tourney Sunday.  

Paulson closed at 79-74—153 on the par-72 Ironwood Golf Course. Michelle Pascavis of Wis.-Stevens Point took medalist honors with 74-72—146.

Central was 11th overall at 343-330—673. Eva Downes (junior, Woodstock, Ill., Marion Catholic Central HS) tied for 53rd at 86-83—169, followed by Nicole Wenstrand (sophomore, Essex) at 89-84—173, Abby Lukensmeyer (freshman, Hampton, Hampton-Dumont HS) at 93-89—182 and Allison Crooks (sophomore, Moline, Ill, Moline HS) at 89-93—182. Sunday’s 330 was 12 strokes better than Central’s previous low round of the season and was the squad’s best 18-hole score since 2006.

“Allison (Crooks) shot her first sub-90 tournament round, Nicole (Wenstrand) had her first back-to-back rounds in the 80s and Sara (Paulson) had her first two consecutive rounds in the 70s,” coach Jodee Schaben said. “It was a pretty solid weekend.”

Wis.-Stevens Point cruised to a 16-shot win at 308-300—608 with Otterbein (Ohio) second at 310-314—624. Loras was the only other Iowa Conference squad in the field, placing 22nd at 380-375—755.

Schaben said that her players were disappointed in finishing 11th.

“But there were seven ranked teams in the field and two other teams that will probably be ranked next time,” she said. “I went in thinking that if we placed anywhere from 11th to 15th, it would be a good showing, based on the teams that were there.”

The 72-hole Iowa Conference tournament opens with rounds Friday and Saturday at the Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls. The final 36 holes are slated for Oct. 3-4 at Blank Golf Course in Des Moines. The Dutch will be eyeing a climb up the league ladder after dropping to sixth last year, matching their lowest finish. Central, which has won eight conference titles, hasn’t finished better than fourth since 2000 but Schaben said her club looks to place in the top three. Nationally ranked Wartburg College will be the tourney favorite, followed by Luther College.

“Third would be good but we’re aiming higher than that,” she said.

With two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior in the lineup, the Dutch are continuing to display progress.

“In course management, decision-making and ball striking, we’re seeing improvement every week,” Schaben said. “That’s exciting.”