WKU’s women’s golf program took home a second place finish in the Jennifer Duke Invitational up in Cincinnati, Ohio, hosted by the University of Cincinnati, on Sept. 12-13.

After a long first day consisting of two rounds, WKU stood in first place, leading the field by six strokes. The team dominated the competition with a first round total score of 306. 

WKU improved its score by 14 strokes in the second round, shooting a 292. The 8-over score was enough to make the red and white the only team to break 300 the first day.

Freshman Sydney Hackett sat in third after the first two rounds, leading the team. Junior Rachel Rich and sophomore Catie Craig were tied in fourth. Addie Westbrook was the fourth Hilltopper in the top ten, tied for sixth, after the first day. The Hilltoppers were 30-over par as a team after the first two rounds.

After the final round, the Hilltoppers placed second overall behind Western Carolina University by nine strokes. With a final three-day score of 906, WKU claimed second place by one shot with Coastal Carolina University rounding out the podium with a 907.

Two Hilltoppers secured their spots in the top 10 of the Invitational. Hackett continued to play well after her stunning college debut, placing fourth in the field with a 222 total for the three rounds. 

Competing as an individual, Craig placed ninth overall finishing the three rounds with a total of 226. Fifth-year senior Kenlie Barrett, also competing as an individual, tied for fifth on the team.

With two top-three finishes after their first two tournaments of the season, the Hilltoppers appear determined and focused to take on the rest of the year.

WKU will return to the course from Sept. 23-25 at the Lady Paladin Invitational hosted by Furman University. Full individual results can be found below:

T4 Sydney Hackett – 75, 73, 74 (222)

T9 Catie Craig – 73, 76, 77 (226)
T11 Rachel Rich – 75, 74, 79 (228)
T15 Addie Westbrook – 77, 73, 79 (229)
T17 Sarah Arnold – 83, 72, 76 (231)
T17 Kenlie Barrett – 78, 75, 78 (231)
T37 Averi Cline – 79, 80, 81 (240)

Sports reporter Molly St. Clair can be reached at [email protected].