LARAMIE, Wyo. (Feb. 11, 2019) – Wyoming Cowgirl golfers Megan Knadler and Samantha Hui find themselves in the top five on the individual leaderboard following the first day of action at the Battle at the Rock held at the Oak Quarry Golf Club.
 
First-round action at the event started over two hours late due to significant frost on the course Monday morning. Due to the late start, the teams only made it midway through the second round by the time play was called due to darkness. The Cowgirls will attempt to finish their second round and complete the third round of play on Tuesday.
 
As a team, Wyoming finished the day in eighth at 23-over with six to eight holes left to play in the second round. The Cowgirls, who reached as high as second at one point during the first round of play, wrapped up the first 18 holes in fourth with a 7-over 295. That mark was just two strokes off the team's season high for the 2018-19 campaign.
 
"I am very pleased with our first round of the spring season," head coach Josey Stender said. "From top to bottom we were competitive and even had a few career low rounds, which I can say doesn't happen this early in the spring for any program.
 
"I am very encouraged by the great play in our younger Cowgirls and the confident preparation in our upperclassmen. Tomorrow will be unique to finish since some girls have five holes and some have eight in round two; however, we will need to just stick to our game plan and adjust with what the conditions allow for."
 
Competing individually, Hui sits only a shot off the lead following day one, holding at 1-under overall and 3-under in her second round with four holes left to play. Hui carded a 2-over 74 in her first round, and caught fire in her second with four birdies to only one bogey so far through 12 holes. The Cowgirl freshman will look to finish off her second 18 strong and best her previous career low single-round score of 71 to set herself up to contend over the final round.
 
Knadler is in fifth on the individual leaderboard at even par for the tournament and just two shots off the lead. The senior impressed in her first round with a 1-under 71 over her first 18 holes, and is currently at 1-over for her second round with eight holes left to play. Knadler's first-round 71 was just one stroke off her career low.
 
Junior Erin Sargent is in a tie for 30th heading into the second day of action. Sargent turned in a 3-over 75 in her first round and is at 3-over for her second round with eight holes left to play.
 
Caitlyn Skavdahl is tied for 49th at 9-over after a 3-over 75 in her first round. Freshman Michelle Nguyen carded a 2-over 74 in her first round to tie her career low, and is in 56th at 10-over for the tournament through 11 holes in her second. Kaylee Knadler is in 73rd at 15-over, carding an 81 over her first 18.
 
Aside from Hui, the Cowgirls have two other players competing as individuals in Riverside this week, both of which are in the top 30 following Monday's action.
 
Freshman Cristiana Ciasca carded a new career high with a 73 in her first round, and is tied for 19th at 5-over overall with five holes to play in her second round. Sarah Hankins is in 30th at 6-over after a 74 in her first round. Hankins, at 4-over for her second 18, will have five holes left to play when play resumes on Tuesday morning.
 
The Cowgirls will be back in action on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. MT with the remainder of second-round play, followed immediately by round three.