DENTON, Texas – The Great Northwest Athletic Conference champion Western Washington University Women's Golf team is getting the chance to play against a few of the best teams in the nation.
 
The No. 9 seed Vikings are in 9^th place following the first round of the 2021 NCAA Division II Women's Golf West Regional that is being played at Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch. This marks WWU's 11^th trip to the NCAA II Championships and first since 2016.
 
Play wrapped up Monday in the nine-team tournament with the Vikings shooting a 31-over-par team round of 319. The West Regional field consists of six teams in the national top 25, including tournament host and No. 1 ranked Dallas Baptist. The eight teams ahead of the Vikings on the leaderboard are all listed in the top 50 in the nation via the Golfstat team rankings.
 
"It was a little windy and hot, but that was not our downfall today. I think mentally the speed of the greens got to us and we had a hard time adjusting," said WWU Director of Golf Luke Bennett. "The team struck the ball well today and they are not far off from a very good team score. Tomorrow is a new day and I look forward to them attacking this long course tomorrow."
 
Second-year freshman and GNAC Player of the Year Elise Sumner leads WWU in a tie for 29^th place in the 48-player field after carding a 6-over-par 78.
 
Sophomore Sarah Shea is tied for 33^rd place after a first-round 7-over-par 79. She had a bit of unfortunate luck coming down the stretch playing her final two holes at 3-over-par after being only 4-over-par in her first 16 holes.
 
Junior Kolby Heggenes (T-37^th, +8, 80), freshman Dani Bailey (T-44^th, +10, 82) and freshman Sophia Schmidt (T-44^th, +10, 82) rounded out the Vikings contingent.
 
St. Mary's (TX) holds the team lead through the first round of the 54-hole tournament after shooting a 1-over-par round of 289. West Texas A&M is 2^nd at +6 (294) and DBU is 3^rd at +7 (294).
 
Sofia Ruescas of St. Mary's holds the individual lead following a 4-under-par 68 on the 6,422-yard layout, followed closely by Hanna Harrison of Dallas Baptist who is one strike back at 3-under-par 69.
 
The second round is scheduled to begin with the Vikings, Point Loma and Westminster teeing off the first hole at 8:30 am CT/6:30 am PT.
 
The top three teams at the conclusion of the tournament and top three individuals (not on the three teams) will qualify for NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship Finals May 11-15 at TPC Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan.
  Here is a look at WWU's individual results and the team leaderboard from the First Round of the NCAA II Women's' Golf West Regional at Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch. The tournament can be followed live online via the GolfStat Leaderboard at WWUVikings.com/WG_Live.
 

NCAA II West Regional Championships Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch  »  Denton, TX Par 72  »  6,442 Yards
Pos.	Team/Player	To Par	Rd 1	Rd 2	Rd 3	Total
9th	Western Washington	+31	319	--	--	319
T-29th	Elise Sumner	+6	78	--	--	78
T-33rd	Sarah Shea	+7	79	--	--	79
T-37th	Kolby Heggenes	+8	80	--	--	80
T-44th	Sophia Schmidt	+10	82	--	--	82
T-44th	Dani Bailey	+10	82	--	--	82
Pos.	Team	To Par	Rd 1	Rd 2	Rd 3	Total
1.	St. Mary's (TX)	+1	289	--	--	289
2.	West Texas A&M	+6	294	--	--	294
3.	Dallas Baptist	+7	295	--	--	295
4.	Texas A&M-Commerce	+12	300	--	--	300
5.	Arkansas-Fort Smith	+13	301	--	--	301
6.	Oklahoma Christian	+16	304	--	--	304
7.	Point Loma	+19	307	--	--	307
8.	Westminster	+29	317	--	--	317
9.	Western Washington	+31	319	--	--	319