Wind and cooler temperatures only fueled the Barton Community College women's golf team as the Cougars carded the lone second round improvement on Wednesday to break a program record in climbing into 3rd place of the NJCAA National Preview held the past two days at Garden City's Buffalo Dunes Golf Coursed.
The Cougars ranked third in all but one of the team statistical categories, shooting a fourth best 306 round on Thursday before posting the field's lone improved round despite the 15mph sustained winds and 40-dgree temperatures for a 302 in climbing into third with a 40-over 608. The two-day accumulation rose to the top of the program record by three strokes in bettering the 611 achievement set by the 2015-16 squad.
Odessa College took the team title with 289 and 297 rounds for an 18-over 586 to own a twelve stroke victory over Western Texas College's 30-over 598.
The Cougars' top three players each improved on day two in helping the team move up the standings.
Yu Wei Chiang led the Cougars with a tie for the runner-up spot at 5-over 147, posting a 74 before climbing five spots with a field second best 73 round. Chiang played the short holes at a field second best even par and a second best 3-over on the par 4's to rank third overall with 25 pars in the thirty-six holes.
Just two strokes back was Saya Schweitzer in a 5th place gridlock, carding 75 and 74 rounds for a 7-over 149 as the freshman led the field on the par 4's with a 2-over and third best five birdies.
Pornnapa Inmee again led the Cougars with a final round climb, surging up six spots into 18th at 15-over 157 behind 80 and 77 rounds. Joining Inmee in the 18th position, Andrea Peraza stayed consistent with 79 and 78 rounds.
Valentina Leyva stood in 17th of the 41 participant field following Thursday's 78 card before slipping into 24th with a final round of 85 to finish at 21-over 163.
Paulina Villavicencio led the remaining four Cougars entered with a 31st place 37-over 179 by opening with a 91 before following with a three stroke improvement 88. Katina Bartel also improved on Friday from a 97 to a 96 to place 34th at 51-over 193. Allyson Kaiser carded 98 and 101 rounds for a 36th place 57-over 199 while Lillyan Kimberlin placed 38th at 79-over 221 with 105 and 116 cards.
The Cougars have short turnaround for its next meet, joining their male counterparts in hosting the Barton Invitational held Monday and Tuesday at Lake Barton Golf Course.
NJCAA National Preview results: Team Individuals