Women’s golf team wins first MIAA Playoff by 18 strokes

The Olivet College women's golf team took first-place at the first of three Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Playoff rounds today at the Zollner Golf Course in Angola, Ind. The second and third rounds will be played April 25 and 26 at The Medalist Golf Club in Marshall. The school with the lowest team scores after these 54 holes will represent the MIAA at the 2008 NCAA Division III National Championships.

Today, the Comets had a 319 team score, which ranks third best for a team score in school history. Saint Mary's (Ind.) College was the runner-up finisher with a 337, followed by Tri-State (Ind.) University in third-place at 342.

In addition, Olivet had the top three golfers in the individual standings. Sophomore Megan Rimmel (Ithaca) placed first with a one-under par 74 to tie the school record for the best individual round. Junior Lindsay Pipkin (White Lake/Lakeland) was second at 78, followed in third by senior Amanda Sanders (Concord) at 79. Freshman Amber Conrad (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) posted an 88, followed by junior Trisha McKim (DeWitt) at 96.

Senior Jen Lambarth (Saline), sophomore Katie Misko (Alma) and freshman Abby Wheeler (Grayling) also participated but were treated as individual scorers. Lambarth returned to clubhouse with an 88, Misko had a 91 and Wheeler finished with a 94.

The Comets are back in action Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20, when they participate in the annual Illinois Wesleyan University Spring Fling at the Ironwood Golf Course.