Carson-Newman’s Tunnell Slips To 28th After Second Round At NCAA Championship

ALLENDALE, Mich. - Carson-Newman College freshman Mary Tunnell shot a 78 (+6) during the second round of the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship on Thursday in Allendale, Mich., to slip four spots into a tie for 28th.

Tunnell (Memphis, Tenn.) fired an opening round 77 (+5) on Wednesday and has a 36-hole total of 155 (+11). She is tied with six other players at 28th.

Tunnell, representing Carson-Newman as an individual, struggled to begin the round, bogeying three of the first four holes. Playing the back nine first, she birdied the 493-yard par 5 14th hole, but then double bogeyed 16 and bogeyed 17 to finish the nine with a 40 (+5). Tunnell was more consistent during the second nine carding six pars, one birdie and two bogeys for a back side total of 38 (+1).

Taylor Collins from Nova Southeastern continues to lead the individual tournament (68-69; -7). Collins' teammate, Abbey Gittings (70-70; -4), climbed one spot to second place, three shots off the lead. Spencer Heller of Sonoma State (70-74; E) is third after two rounds of play.

In a 12-team field, defending national champion Nova Southeastern University holds a commanding 19-stroke lead through 36 holes. The Sharks have a two-day combined score of 574 (283-291; -2). Rollins remains in second at 593 (293-300; +12), five shots clear of third place Florida Southern at 598 (299-299; +22)

Tunnell tees off the third of four 18-hole rounds Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. eastern time from the 1st hole at the par-72, 6,111-yard The Meadows.

NCAA Division II Women's Golf National Championships
Allendale, Mich. The Meadows
Par: 72 Yardage: 6,111

Top-5 Team Results (Through 36 Holes) Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Total Relation to Par
1. Nova Southeastern University 283 291 574 -2
2. Rollins College 293 300 593 +17
3. Florida Southern College 299 299 598 +22
4. St. Edward's University 305 307 612 +17
Tarleton State University 306 306 612 +18

Individual Top-10
Individual Team Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Total Relation to Par
1. Taylor Collins Nova Southeastern 68 69 137 -7
2. Abbey Gittings Nova Southeastern 70 70 140 -4
3. Spencer Heller Sonoma State 70 74 144 E
4. Sandra Changkija Nova Southeastern 72 73 145 +1
5. M.J. Audette Florida Southern 74 72 146 +2
Fabia Rothenfluh Rollins 73 73 146 +2
7. Joanna Coe Rollins 76 71 147 +3
Rita Kim Belmont Abbey 75 72 147 +3
Cecilia Kleinart Rollins 69 78 147 +3
Emily Kvidera Augustana College-SD 75 72 147 +3
Jacqueline Lau Tarleton State 71 76 147 +3

T28. Mary Tunnell Carson-Newman 77 78 155 +11