RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (April 17, 2018) – Sophomore Erin Sargent fired her way into the top five of the Mountain West Women's Golf Championship on Tuesday, shooting a 70 (-2). Additionally, UW posted a second-round 305 (+17) to move up two spots for seventh with a 612 (+36). The final round at the Mission Hills Country Club is set to tee off Wednesday morning.
 
"I'm proud of the determination we showed today," Cowgirl head coach Josey Stender said. "We really had to hang on and fight to move up the leaderboard. Erin's (Sargent) played was confident and calculated all day. It was really fun to coach her and watch her compete. This is the best start we've had since the event has been played here but we aren't at our full team potential yet."
 
Sargent, a Longmont, Colo., native, is tied for third in the 45-player field after the first two rounds. Her score on Tuesday was one off her career-best and one of seven that scored par or better during the middle round. It was also her sixth sub-par round of the year. Sargent put together back-to-back birdies on the fifth and six holes on Tuesday morning, before three straight beginning on the 12th to cap a thrilling back nine. She led the Brown and Gold with five birdies on Tuesday and has a 36-hole total of 145 (+1).
 
Senior Gabrielle Gibson carded a 75 (+3) on Tuesday, to follow a 77 (+5) on Monday. She is sitting tied for 18th with a two-day total 152 (+8) and is seven strokes back of Sargent. Gibson closed out the day with a birdie on the 18th, in addition to two in the first nine holes.
 
Junior Megan Knadler shot a 75 (+3) yesterday, and went on to record a 79 (+7) during Tuesday's second round. She was eight-over in the opening nine and then found her rhythm on the back. Two birdies highlighted Knadler's final nine holes as she signed for a two-round mark of 154 (+10).
 
Redshirt sophomore Kaylee Knadler ended the round with a birdie on 18 and is seven shots back of her twin sister. She shot an 81 (+9) on Tuesday and is sitting 42nd with a 161 (+17). Redshirt freshman Caitlyn Skavdahl shot an 84 (+12) during the second round. She is 44th with a 164 (+20) through the first two rounds.
 
The Cowgirls 305 (+17) on Tuesday gives them a two-shot lead over Boise State and San Jose State, respectively. Fresno State is sitting sixth as a team, just eight shots in front UW, while Colorado State and fifth place is well within reach with a two-day total of 601 (+25).
 
UNLV remains the top team after a 291 (+3) on Tuesday. The Rebels hold a 12-shot lead over No. 48 San Diego State. Nevada is sitting in third with a 597 (+14). SDSU's Milagros Chaves recorded a 69 (-3) during the second round to move into the individual lead. She has a two-round total of 141 (-3), while UNLV's Mackenzie Raim is two shots back.
 
The final round of the 2018 Mountain West Women's Golf Championship will beginning tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. MT. Live scoring will be available at Golfstat.com
 
Mountain West Championship
Par: 72, Yardage: 6,270
Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Mission Hills Country Club
 
Team Leaderboard after Two Rounds
1. UNLV: 287-291=578 (+2)
2. San Diego State 298-292=590 +14
3. Nevada 302-295=597 (+21)
4. New Mexico 298-300=598 (+22)
5. Colorado State 306-295=601 (+25)
6. Fresno State 295-309=604 (+28)
7. Wyoming 307-305=612 (+36)
8. Boise State 303-311=614 (+38)
9. San Jose State 300-315=615 (+39)
 
Wyoming Results
T3. Erin Sargent: 75 (+3) – 70 (-2) = 145 (+1)
T18. Gabrielle Gibson: 77 (+5) – 75 (+3) – 152 (+8)
T24. Megan Knadler: 75 (+3) – 79 (+7) = 154 (+10)
42. Kaylee Knadler: 80 (+8) – 81 (+9) = 161 (+17)
44. Caitlyn Skavdahl: 80 (+8) 84 (+12) = 164 (+20)