Golf improves ahead of championships

The golf team continued its season play Sunday into Monday at the Triton Invitational.

Truman State University’s golf team traveled to St. Louis to face off against 15 other teams at its latest golf tournament. The team finished 11th this time around, and leader Brooke Kelley tied for 29th.

Among the top three schools sat University of Illinois Springfield, Lindenwood University and Univeristy of Missouri-St. Louis. Likewise, Illinois Springfield’s Maria Espinosa and Jennifer Queller took home first and second respectively. Additionally, Lindenwood’s Kayleigh Stevens Perez rounded out the top three.

Kelley and Lindsey Repp — who finished 59th out of 92 — are the team captains, and head coach Clint Fitzpatrick said they have been integral in this year’s play.

“Brooke as a senior, and Lindsey as a junior, have continued to improve every year they set foot on campus,” Fitzpatrick said. “They have outstanding leadership skills and really set the tone by working hard every day in every weather condition. They hold their teammates accountable and are supportive at the same time, which is why our team chemistry is as high as it has ever been.”

Katie Gastrau, Maya Schnable and Emily Ducaji also qualified for this tournament. Gastrau and Schnable finished just ahead of Repp at 51 and 52, respectively. Ducaji rounded out the team tied for 62nd.

Fitzpatrick said the team is looking for continued improvement as they move through the rest of the season. The beginning of the season was rough because of harsh weather conditions, so overcoming that has been a challenge.

“Our biggest goal is consistency, on and off the golf course,” Fitzpatrick said. “Right now we are working on taking our good swings from practice onto the golf course and eliminating the small mistakes.”

The golf team will hit the road once again this weekend to attend the UIS Spring Invitational. This will be the team’s last tournament before the GLVC Championships at the end of April.