March 20, 2007
CALERA, Ala. - Sarah Nicholson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS ) shot a third round 76 to finish with a 12-over 225 to finish third overall at the Samford Intercollegiate on Tuesday at Timberline Golf Course. West Florida, the only NCAA Division II team in the Division I filled 14-team field, placed fifth after starting the day in sixth place.
West Florida (318-314-298) was the only team to shoot under 300 in the third round. The Argonauts started the tournament with a 318 first round, but improved their round score by 20 strokes by the end of the event. South Alabama won the tournament with a 915 total.
Nicholson (75-74-76) was only two strokes behind Lorie Warren of Belmont, who finished with a 10-over 223. Nicholson finished tied for second with eight birdies. Two other Argonauts also earned top 20 finishes. Clara Fornella (Montevideo, Uruguay/Seminario) rebounded from a first round 81 to finish tied for 15th with an 18-over 231 (81-74-76). Victoria Jackson (Fort Walton Beach, Fla./Fort Walton Beach HS), who posted a second round 82, shot a third round best 71 to finish tied for 18th with a 19-over 232 (79-82-71).
Natalia Espinosa (Bogota, Colombia) posted a third round 75, which was her best round of the tournament, to place tied for 48th with a 29-over 242 (83-84-75). Rachel Christ (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte) rounded out the Argonaut contingent with a 38-over 251 in 64th place (85-84-82).
West Florida will return to the links for the Nova Southeastern Spring Classic in Tamarac, Fla. The event will be held from Mar. 26-27.
