University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Bensch Wins Title To Pace Bronchos

3/23/2010 4:56:13 PM

Cassy Knight

WICHTA FALLS, Texas (March 23) – Central Oklahoma's Erica Bensch captured her first collegiate title in leading the Bronchos to a third-place finish in the Midwestern State Invitational here Tuesday.

Bensch was tied for the lead following an opening-round 76 and she pulled away to a three-stroke victory with a closing 78 at the wind-blown Weeks Park Golf Course. UCO, which had a two-shot lead after a first-round 321, shot 330 Tuesday and fell back to third with a 651 total.

West Texas A&M had a closing 311 to win the 12-team tournament at 635, followed by the host Mustangs at 643 and UCO.

“Erica played great for 36 holes and she just continues to get better every week,” UCO coach Michael Bond said. “I'm really proud of the way she hung in there and maintained her composure today in some really tough conditions.

“As a whole we just made too many mistakes, but hats off to West Texas. Shooting 311 the way the wind blew today was phenomenal.”

Bensch got off to a great start Tuesday and opened up a big lead after playing the first seven holes three under par. A couple of errant shots that led to big holes cut into her lead, but the Broken Arrow sophomore regained control and cruised in with her first career win.

Cassy Knight tied for 10th place after shooting a second straight 81, while the Bronchos also got an 85 from Maria Jimenez, an 86 from Mychael McWhorter and an 87 from Raelynn Farthing. Emily Leahey had a 91 and Mary Sue Sample a 94 while playing as individuals in the tournament.

UCO returns to action next week at the Lady Otter Spring Invitational in Seaside, Calif.

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