Oct. 21, 2011
Junior Lauren Stratton continued her torrid playing on Friday at the Mercedes Benz SEC/Pac 12 Challenge, where she is tied for the lead after shooting a four-under par, 68, in the first round at Holston Hills Country Club in Knoxville. The Commodores shot an eight-over par, 296, as a team and are in a tie for sixth heading into the second round on Saturday.
Stratton, who finished in a tie for sixth at the Stanford Intercollegiate last week against a lot of these same teams, had five birdies and one bogey in her round Friday, and is in a tie for the individual lead with Stephanie Meadow of Alabama. Stratton and Meadow have a one stroke lead over Stephanie Kono of UCLA.
Vanderbilt is in a tie for sixth with Auburn and Arizona, and trail fourth-place Washington and Colorado by a stroke.
Besides Stratton’s 68, the Commodores also counted a 74 from Marina Alex, a 76 from Rene Sobolewski, and a 78 from Kendall Martindale. Anna Leigh Keith fired a 79 in opening round action at Holston Hills.
UCLA leads the tournament after carding a seven-under par, 281. The Bruins hold a three stroke lead over second-place Alabama. The second round continues on Saturday, with the Commodores teeing off at 10:20 ET off of the first tee.
T6. Vanderbilt – 296
T1. Lauren Stratton – 68
T32. Marina Alex – 74
T55. Rene Sobelewski – 76
T78. Kendall Martindale – 78
T90. Anna Leigh Keith – 79
