Shean leads Arkansas in Tennessee

Jump to complete results KNOXVILLE, TENN. – University of Arkansas senior Kelli Shean fired a one-over 73 in rainy, windy conditions leading the Razorbacks to a tie for seventh place in the first round of the Mercedes Benz Collegiate at Fox Den Country Club in Knoxville, Tenn., Friday. Shean’s 73 helped Arkansas into a three-way tie for seventh overall with a 304, 21 strokes behind leader and host No. 18 Tennessee who opened with a five-under 283. "That seemed like the longest round of my life," laughed Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. "It rained all day and the round took a long time. Kelli played a pretty solid round of golf today in some tough conditions." Shean’s scorecard was clutter-free with just two bogies on four and 10 and a birdie on the par-four 17th. Senior Alex Schulte and sophomore Katy Nugent finished the first round tied for 31st overall with plus-four 76s. Freshman Victoria Vela stepped up to count for Arkansas with a 79 in her first collegiate round. Vela is tied for 63rd overall along with teammate senior Kristin Ingram. Corinna Rees is playing as an individual and carded a five-over 77 to tie for 42nd after Friday’s round. "Katy only hit six greens and still shot just one-over," Estes-Taylor said. "It was so muddy out there and she was still able to get the ball up-and-down well today. Alex hung in and birdied 16 and that was good to see. Kristin is getting there as well. I know we’ll see a strong finish out of her. She just needs a little luck on her side. It was great to get Victoria get a round under her belt today. She’s going to be fun to watch as she continues to improve." The Lady Vols hold a 13-stroke lead over No. 22 Louisville and No. 43 Kent State who are tied for second with 296. Seventeenth-ranked Chattanooga is fourth with 300 followed by No. 24 South Carolina and North Carolina State in a tie for fifth with 302. The Razorbacks are tied with No. 12 Florida and No. 20 Tulane in seventh at 304. The rest of the field includes No. 7 LSU, No. 9 Ohio State and No. 50 Notre Dame tied for 10th with 306, UTSA and Ole Miss tied for 13th with 309, No. 32 Furman in 15th with 310, No. 19 Wake Forest in 16th with 312, No. 36 TCU in 17th at 314 and Kentucky in 18th place with 322. Play continues Saturday and Sunday with an equally dreary forecast expected. "We’re going out tomorrow and looking for a good middle round," Estes-Taylor said. "We’re going to keep our eyes focused on the top. The weather is supposed to be the same and that’s what we’ve been preparing in so we’re ready for it." For more information about Arkansas women’s golf, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com. 2009 Mercedes Benz Collegiate Championship Fox Den Country Club Knoxville, Tenn. Oct. 16, 2009 Round One Team Results