By: Rob Anderson

RIO VERDE, Ariz. —  The Creighton Women’s Golf team opened its spring season with a 12th place finish at the WMU Rio Verde Invitational on Sunday.

Sophomore Katharine Marshall fired an even-par in Sunday’s final round to finish in a tie for 34th place with a 225 aggregate, as she had opened the event with a 78 on Friday and a 75 on Saturday.

Annie Dawson tied for 39th place following rounds of 78-73-75 for a 226 total. The sophomore’s second-round 73 was one shot off her best loop of the season.

Julia Karmazin shot an even-par 72 in Saturday’s second round, the best circuit of her freshman season. Karmazin tied for 43rd place with a 228 (75-72-81) total.

Morgan Becker tied for 69th place with rounds of 76, 77 and 79, while Karsen Morrison took 100th following scores of 79, 83 and 84.

California Baptist (283-296-285=864) earned the one-shot victory over Illinois State (289-294-282=865), with defending BIG EAST champion Xavier in third (292-284-293=869). The Bluejays did beat former MVC rivals Missouri State (15th) and Bradley (T-16th), as well as BIG EAST foe Butler (T-16th).

California Baptist’s Pusanisa Ekkantrong (68-75-64=207) birdied seven of the final nine holes of the tournament to earn medalist honors by five shots over Illinois State’s Jinyoung Yun (71-69-72=212). Xavier’s Isabel Brozena (70-68-77=215) tied for fourth place and was the top finisher among BIG EAST participants.

Hosted by Western Michigan University, the tournament was played on the Rio Verde Country Club Course in Rio Verde, Ariz. The event featured 21 teams and 104 players on the Par 72 layout that measured 6,001 yards.

Creighton is back in action on March 10-11 at the Jackrabbit Invitational in Boulder City, Nev.