Bothe in top 10, Mustangs tied for 20th after round one

YPSILANTI, Mich. — After weather pushed their start back a day, Mount Mercy began the NAIA Women's Golf Championship on Wednesday with a 323 team total to sit in a tie for 20th place. Chiara Bothe led the way for the Mustangs and finds herself in seventh individually after firing a 3-over-par 75 in round one at Eagle Crest Golf Club.

Dalton State sits atop the team leaderboard with an opening round 301. Truett McConnell is next at 303, followed by British Columbia and Southeastern at 305 and Keiser and SCAD Savannah at 310.

Bretlyn Decker ended the round tied for 82nd with a 9-over-par 81. Kyla Johnson tied for 110th place, carding an 83 while Lauren McPhillips-Newcomb finished the day tied for 120th at 84. Carli Irvine rounded out the team's efforts, tying for 130th with an 86.

Mount Mercy gets back on the course for round two on Thursday morning at 6:40 am Central Time. The Mustangs are once again paired with Milligan and Kansas Wesleyan. Due to the weather delay on Tuesday, the championship has been shortened to 54 holes. After the initial 36 holes, the field will be reduced to the top 15 teams plus ties as well as the top six individuals not on an advancing team plus ties.