Lady Vikings finish fourth in HAAC meet

Junior Meghan Gauthier medaled for the Missouri Valley College women's golf team Tuesday during the Heart of America Conference Championship at Indian Foothills Golf Course.

The Elmsville, Ont., native shot an 87 during the rain-shortened, one-round meet to tie for eighth place. That helped the Lady Vikings finish fourth in the team standings with 377 points.

All five Valley entries wound up in the top 22, Freshman Kim Whitworth tied for 14th at 92, sophomore Leah Bartlett placing 19th at 97 and freshman Kalin Miles shooting 101 to share 20th place to round out the Lady Vikings' scoring.

Lindenwood earned an automatic bid to the NAIA Championships, which begin May 25 at Rapid City, S.D., by winning its 10th straight league title with a 329. Lady Lions freshman Marcella Ax and Avila senior Krista Nelson both fired four-over-par 76 to share the individual crown.

The Valley men play in the HAAC tourney at Lawrence, Kan., next week.