BRADENTON, Fla. – Wyoming women's golf junior Erin Sargent played her way into a tie for third after 18 holes on Sunday at the Pat Bradley Women's Invitational, played at the par-72 Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club.
 
As a team, Wyoming carded a 16-over 304 for the day to end the first round in 12^th. The Pokes sit only four shots back from sixth.
 
"Erin just played very solid, steady and patient today," head coach Josey Stender said. "She has put herself in great position again and it is great to see her play so confidently. As a team we are not far out, it just takes a few reps to get used to the style of golf in Florida."
 
Sargent matched her season low with a 70 in her first of three rounds for the week, matching McNeese's Anika Hovda, as well as Valentina Haupt and Henriette Syr of Southern Mississippi for a four-way tie at 2-under. The Cowgirl sits just two shots back from leader Natalia Villavicencio heading into Monday's second round.
 
Starting the day hot, Sargent opened with four birdies over her first eight holes to get to the turn at 4-under and hold at least a share of the tournament lead for much of the day. The Longmont, Colo., native hit a bit of a tough stretch on the back, still wrapping up the day as one of nine players in the field under par despite dropping in one birdie to three bogeys over her final nine holes.
 
Freshman Samantha Hui is tied for 45^th at 5-over after turning in a 77 for her first round. Hui bounced back from a difficult front nine by shooting an even 36 on the back to finish the day.
 
Cowgirl redshirt sophomore Caitlyn Skavdahl also shot a first-round 77 on Sunday to tie with Hui for 45^th on the player leaderboard.
 
Sarah Hankins and Megan Knadler are both tied for 67^th at 8-over after each recorded an 80 over their first 18 holes.
 
Paired with Eastern Michigan and Florida Gulf Coast, the Cowgirls will tee off on the 10^th for their second round on Monday morning at 8:15 a.m. EST.