Mustangs break school record, finish third at Luther Invitational

DIKE, Iowa - Between stellar collegiate debuts and all-conference returners, the Mount Mercy women's golf team broke the school record for a 36-hole team score, totaling 629 for a third place finish at the Luther Invitational held at Fox Ridge Golf Course over the weekend. 

The Mustangs opened the 2022-23 season with an impressive 313 in round one, just five strokes off the lead. Despite adding three strokes in round two, Mount Mercy held onto third with a score of 629 (313-316) with every player in the top-25. Grinnell College won the tournament shooting 602 (308-294) and Central College came in second at 604 (309-295). 

Aoi Ito finished 10th to lead Mount Mercy after rounds of 77-80 gave her a total of 157. Breanna Felderman (80-78=158), Kaitlin Hotchkiss (77-81=158) and Kirsten Miller (79-79=158) all tied for 14th. Gracie Murray (82-79=161) rounded out the "A" squad tied for 21st.  

The Mount Mercy "B" team improved by 14 strokes on day two (348-334=682) for a 10th place finish. Every Mustang elevated their performance from Saturday: Lucia Larruscain (82-80=162) tied for 25th, Grace Haas (85-79=164) tied for 29th, Maddie Hornback (87-83=170) tied for 40th, Dulce Gefke (94-92=186) tied for 65th, and Ellie Houston (98-95=193) was 72nd.

Mount Mercy is back in action next weekend Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10-11 as they host the Klocke Classic at Hunter's Ridge Golf Course in Marion. It's a shotgun start at noon.