Spangler fires three-under 69 to pace Tech in first round at Draper
DRAPER VALLEY, Va. -- Senior Ashley Spangler, a first-team
all-OVC performer last year, is off to a strong start in her final
campaign, firing a three-under par 69 Monday in the first round of
the Draper Valley Invitational. Her score helped Tennessee Tech to
fifth place among the 14 teams at the two-day tournament, which
concludes Tuesday.
Elon University carded a 290 team total to grab the lead after the
first round, three shots ahead of Western Carolina and seven in
front of Charleston Southern. Gardner-Webb is fourth at 299, while
Tech is a shot back at 300. It's a tight race for those top spots,
with Radford one shot behind the Golden Eagles at 301, Appalachian
State and Evansville just three strokes behind at 303.
Elon's Danielle Mills posted a four-under 68 to take the individual
lead after the first round, with Spangler a stroke back at 69. Two
golfers are tied at 70 and two more at 71.
Tech's second-best score on Monday was posted by sophomore Carley
Rhyne with a 73, but it doesn't count toward the Golden Eagles'
team score since she is entered as an individual.
Megan Bradford is next on the individual scoreboard for Tech's team
total, shooting a 75 to place her in a tie for 18th. Others in the
TTU lineup for first-year coach Brandy Stout include Diana Carson
(78), Madison Denman (78) and Maegan Sullivan (78), all tied for
34th place.
A year ago, Spangler tied for 27th place at the same tournament and
the Golden Eagles finished eighth among the 15 teams in the field.
