KEARNEY, Neb. – The Northwest Missouri State University women's golf team fired an opening-round 298 to sit in eighth place among the 21-team field at the UNK Central Region Fall Preview.
 
Northwest is one shot out of a tie for sixth place and four shots out of a top-five standing in the team race. The Bearcats trail tournament-leading Nebraska-Kearney by 16 shots after 18 holes.
 
Clara Peake and Wildah Jarestam led the way on day one with first-round scores of 73 (+2). Peake posted five birdies in Sunday's round at No. 2, No. 6, No. 11, No. 15 and No. 18. Peake's five birdies tied for the second-most in the 104-player field. Jarestam tallied four birdies at No. 2, No. 6, No. 15 and No. 17.
 
Lexi Bartley had three birdies in her opening-round 75 (+4). Bartley secured her birdies at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 6.
 
Lauren Briggs buried two birdies at No. 2 and No. 4 as she opened with a first-round 77 (+6).
 
The 54-hole event is being played at Meadowlark Hills Golf Course on a par-71 course measuring 5,908 yards.
 
NORTHWEST'S INDIVIDUAL SCORES
T18. Clara Peake           73 (+2)
T18. Wildah Jarestam    73 (+2)
T32. Lexi Bartley            75 (+4)
T47. Lauren Briggs        77 (+6)
T96. Carleigh Reoh       86 (+15)