ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Cowgirls are off to a strong start and in early contention at the Thunderbird Invitational hosted by Southern Utah.
 
Wyoming is second in the team standings and only one shot from the lead in the nine-team field after shooting a 295 (+7) in the first round Friday at the par-72, 5,914-yard Sunbrook Golf Club.
 
Sophomore Kira Reisner is tied for fourth place on the individual leaderboard after shooting a 72 to lead UW. The sophomore carded four birdies and four bogeys to finish even through the first 18 holes of the 54-hole tournament.
 
All five players in the Cowgirl lineup finished the round in the top 15.
 
Senior Meghan Vogt (+1) is tied for sixth, junior Elle Higgins (+3) and freshman Kiley Reisner (+3) are tied for 10^th and sophomore Emerson Purcell (+4) is tied for 15^th to round out the consistent performance.

"Solid start in tough conditions," said UW head coach Josey Stender, whose team was coming off a fourth-place finish at the Grand Canyon Invitational. "Our mental toughness and play around the green was much improved from last week. I told the team, we can't win the tournament on the first day, but we can lose it, so we are in great position with 36 (holes) to go."
 
Stetson (+6) holds a slim one-stroke advantage over UW with third-place Weber State (+8) trailing the Cowgirls by one shot entering the second round, which is scheduled to tee off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

Weber State's Braylyn Bayer leads the tournament after shooting a 70 (-2) in the opening round.
 
At the 2024 Thunderbird Classic, senior Jadan Gonzalez, shared the individual trophy during a strong showing for UW.
 
Thunderbird Invitational Team Scores
 
1. Stetson – 294 (+6)
2. Wyoming – 295 (+7)
3. Weber State – 296 (+8)
4. Loyola-Chicago – 303 (+15)
5. Utah Tech – 307 (+19)
6. Utah Valley – 310 (+22)
7. Omaha – 314 (+26)
8. Southern Utah – 327 (+39)
9. Idaho State – 329 (+41)
 
Cowgirls Team Scores
 
T4. Kira Reisner – 72 (E)
T6. Meghan Vogt – 74 (+1)
T10. Kiley Reisner – 75 (+3)
T10. Elle Higgins – 74 (+3)
T15. Emerson Purcell – 76 (+4)
 
(Playing as individuals)
 
T34. Sophie Spiva – 80 (+8)
T46. Ellie Barry – 84 (+12)
T52. Erika Cook – 84 (+13)