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MCKINNEY, Texas – Day one of the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Tournament has come and gone and UT Arlington is within striking distance going into the second round. The Mavericks wrapped up the opening round with a 16-over-par 304, six back of Abilene Christian and Utah Valley for the lead. 

Three UTA players finished the round in the top 10 individually. Nitisha Manikandesh paced the Mavericks, carding a 1-over 73. The senior birdied three holes and shot an even-par 36 on the back nine, the only UTA player to go even-par on the front or back nine in the first round.

Manikandesh went 1-under on par-5’s — tied for the best score of the field on such holes — and even-par on par-3’s which was tied for second best in the field. The Plano-native is tied for third place individually and is four strokes back of Abilene Christian’s Maddi Kamas for the lead. Kamas’ 3-under 69 was the only round below par in the first round.

A pair of Mavericks are tied for eighth place individually. Chandler Browning and Tarini Bhoga each posted 3-over 75’s on the first day of the tournament. Both players were 1-over on par-4’s, tied for the third best mark in the tournament.

Browning played steady golf throughout her round. Despite birdieing just one hole, the redshirt senior made par on 13 holes including a stretch of 12 in a row. Browning’s 13 pars were a team high.

Bhoga’s three birdies tied Manikandesh for the most on the team. The sophomore was the only Maverick to birdie the par-4 14th hole.

The fourth best finish for UTA came courtesy of Kamri Gabel, whose 9-over 81 leaves her in a tie for 29th. The senior birdied the par-5 fourth hole, the lone Maverick to do so. 

Capping off the UTA lineup is Nirjara Gulhane. The junior recorded a 10-over 82 in the first round and is in 33rd place. 

Due to expected weather, tee times for the second round have been moved back and the tournament will resume at 10 a.m. Tuesday at The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch – Hills Course. UTA’s first scheduled tee time is 11:40 a.m.


— #BuckEm —

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