Cougars Finish Fourth at Rain-Soaked Aztec Invite

CHULA VISTA -- The BYU women's golf team finished fourth at the rain-shortened Lady Aztec Invitational on Tuesday.

The Cougars arrived at the Auld Course Tuesday morning only to find the course unplayable as most of it sat under water. Officials canceled the third round after the final three golfers finished the second round that began on Monday.

The Cougars improved enough during the second round to move up four spots to No. 4. BYU Coach Sue Nyhus credits the team's dedication to the fourth place finish.

"I'm really impressed with our girls," she said. "We were the only team out practicing during the rain."

The team's hard work paid off during the tournament as three Cougars finished in the top-20.

Rachel Newren tallied a 146 to finish in at No. 4. This tournament marks the second time Newren has finished in the top-10 so far this season. She, along with sister Natalie, carded seven birdies, third most in the tournament.

Freshman Juli Wightman played her best tournament as a Cougar by finishing in a tie for No. 12. The Massachusetts native stroked six birdies en route to her first top-20 finish.

Natalie Newren carded a 6-over 150 to finish tied for 14th. The senior used seven birdies to turn in her third top-20 finish of the season.

Alexis Edwards and Danielle von Arnim returned to action for the Cougars. Each stroked a 161 to tie for No. 60. And freshman Ashley Childers competed in the tournament as an individual and tallied a 165 to tie for 73rd place.

The Cougars last three tournaments have been inhibited by foul weather, a pattern they hope to break when they play in Las Vegas on Nov. 1.

Fin. School              Scores
1.   Baylor              291-299-590 (+14)
2.   Northern Arizona    298-303-601 (+25)
     Long Beach State    300-301-601 (+25)
4.   Brigham Young       305-298-603 (+27)
     San Francisco       298-305-603 (+27)
6.   UAB                 304-303-607 (+31)
7.   Fresno State        313-296-609 (+33)
8.   Boise State         298-315-613 (+37)
9.   San Diego State     304-310-614 (+38)
10.  Nevada              313-302-615 (+39)
11.  Idaho               320-300-620 (+44)
12.  Illinois            315-307-622 (+46)
13.  Portland State      307-316-623 (+47)
14.  CS Northridge       324-319-643 (+67)
15.  Wyoming             322-327-649 (+73)
BYU Individual Results
Fin.  Golfer               Scores
T4    Rachel Newren        71-75--146 (+2)
T12   Juli Wightman        78-71--149 (+5)
T14   Natalie Newren       78-72--150 (+6)
T60   Alexis Edwards       78-83--161 (+17)
T60   Danielle von Arnim   81-80--161 (+17)
T73   Ashley Childers*     85-80--165 (+21)
82 participants
*competed as an individual