RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (April, 16, 2018) – Junior Megan Knadler and sophomore Erin Sargent each carded a 75 (+3) on Monday to lead the Wyoming women's golf team during the first round of the 2018 Mountain West Women's Golf Championship. The Cowgirls are in ninth-place at the event, which is being played on the Dinah Shore Course at the Mission Hills Country Club. UW shot a 307 (+19) to open the tournament.
 
"Megan (Knadler) played gritty and scrambled well today," Cowgirl head coach Josey Stender said. "I think we played fairly solid with the exception of two holes. Erin (Sargent) and Gabrielle (Gibson) just needed a few more putts to drop with all the great looks they had today. We are by no means out of it but we will need to play to our strengths tomorrow to gain back some ground."
 
No. 41 UNLV holds the top spot as a team after the first day. The Rebels shot a 287 (-1), as Fresno State is second with a 295 (+7) and New Mexico and No. 48 San Diego State are in third with a 298 (+10). The Cowgirls are just five shots back of fifth-place Nevada, four of Boise State and one shot back of Colorado State.  
 
Knadler and Sargent are tied at 17th in the 45-player field. Sargent played even through the front nine, before three bogeys in the final nine holes. She totaled one birdie on Monday. Knadler began the day two-over in the first nine holes. She recorded her lone birdie on the 15th, and finished the back one-over. Her first-day score ties her career-best at a MW Championship. She also shot a 75 (+3) in the second round of last year's event.
 
Gabrielle Gibson was one of two Cowgirls with two birdies on the day. She is tied for 29th heading into Tuesday's middle round. Gibson shot a 77 (+5) on Monday, which is the best career-round for the senior at the conference championship.
 
Both redshirt sophomore Kaylee Knadler and redshirt freshman Caitlyn Skavdahl are tied for 37th after the opening day. They each shot an 80 (+8) for the Brown and Gold. Kaylee Knadler joined Gibson with two birdies on the day and was just three-over during the final nine holes.
 
UNLV's Mackenzie Raim is atop the individual leaderboard with a 70 (-2), while Ingrid Gutierrez of New Mexico, Mimi Ho of Fresno State and Alexandra Cooper (San Jose State) are all tied second one shot back.
 
The second round of the 2018 Mountain West Women's Golf Championship will begin Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. MT, followed by the final 18 holes on Wednesday morning. Live scoring is available at Golfstat.com.
 
Mountain West Championship
Par: 72, Yardage: 6,270
 
Team Leaderboard
1. UNLV 287 (-1)
2. Fresno State 295 (+7)
T3. New Mexico 298 (+10)
T3. San Diego State 298 (+10)
5. San Jose State 300 (+12)
6. Nevada 302 (+14)
7. Boise State 303 (+15)
8. Colorado State 306 (+18)
9. Wyoming 307 (+19)
 
Wyoming Results
T17. Erin Sargent: 75 (+3)
T17. Megan Knadler: 75 (+3)
T29. Gabrielle Gibson: 77 (+5)
T37. Caitlyn Skavdahl: 80 (+8)
T37. Kaylee Knadler: 80 (+8)