CORVALLIS -- The women's golf team started its season with a record-setting performance in the second round of the Oregon State University Women's Invitational on Tuesday. The Cougars shaved 18 strokes from their first-round showing to set a new BYU women's record for the lowest 18-hole team score of 286 (-2), bouncing BYU from seventh to first place going into the final round.
Returning the top three scorers from last season's team that finished No. 24 at the NCAA Championship, the Cougars teed off at the Trysting Tree Golf Club in Corvallis, Ore., and overcame a sub-par opening round to finish the day with a six-stroke lead over Washington State. Junior All-American Rachel Newren led BYU's record pace by carding a 2-under 70 in the second round after scoring a 73 (+1) to begin the day.
BYU head coach Sue Nyhus, coming off her induction into the BYU Athletics Hall of Fame last Friday, said she had a feeling this year's team could be something special.
"I just think breaking a school record makes this an exciting day for women's golf at BYU," Nyhus said. "We're making a statement that the Cougars are back."
Along with Newren, back for BYU are two other significant contributors to last year's team, Juli Wightman and Alexis Edwards. Wightman began the season by birdying the par-4 No. 11, a hole that had the highest scoring average after the first round. She finished the first round at 1-over 73 and equaled that total in Round 2, finishing tied for fifth overall. Edwards improved her first-round score by five strokes by shooting a second-round 72 (even).
The experienced Cougar leaders were joined by freshman Natalia Jimenez in her first collegiate tournament. After an opening round of 81 (+9), Jimenez apparently shook off any beginner's jitters to cut a team-high 10 strokes off during her next round. Her second-round 71 was behind only Newren's 70 for the lowest individual score on the team for both rounds. Both Jimenez and Newren birdied the tough No. 11 as they concluded the second round.
"She's exactly what we needed," Nyhus said of Jimenez. "She's very mature on the golf course and she can score."
While she helps her team protect its spot as tournament leader, Newren will also play for an individual title on Wednesday. Her day-one total of 1-under-par 143 gave her a one-stroke lead over Oregon's Cathryn Bristow, and she said she's ready to finish strong.
"I came here to win the tournament, both for myself and for the team," Newren said. "We need to trust that our experience will carry us through tomorrow."
The previous BYU 18-hole team record of 288 was set at the Mountain West Conference Championship at Sunriver, Ore., in 2004.
BYU will tee off the final round at 9 a.m. on Wednesday with Washington State and Oregon State.
Fin. School Score
1. BYU 304-286--590
2. Washington State 295-301--596
3. Oregon State 296-301--597
4. UC Irvine 296-302--598
5. Oregon 298-301--599
6. Penn State 303-302--605
7. Idaho 307-303--610
8. UC Davis 301-310--611
9. Portland State 311-302--613
10. Nevada 305-316--621
11. Boise State 306-319--625
12. Cal Poly SLO 316-316--632
13. UC Riverside 322-314--636
14. Portland 320-322--642
15. Eastern Washington 327-327--654
BYU Individual Results
Fin. Golfer Score
1 Rachel Newren 73-70--143 (-1)
T5 Juli Wightman 73-73--146 (+2)
Alexis Edwards 77-72--149 (+5)
Natalia Jimenez 81-71--152 (+8)
Danielle von Arnim 84-78--162 (+18)