PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Puget Sound Loggers teed off the 2009 NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship bright and early on Wednesday morning on the Wanamaker Course at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.  At the end of the day, the Loggers found themselves in 19th place after shooting a +62 350.

The Loggers, who traveled further than any other team at the tournament, started off on the course at 7:30 a.m. EDT.  Junior Maresa Jenson (Whitefish, Mont.) used a birdie on the first hole to start the Loggers off right as they built a lead over fellow early-risers Illinois College and Transylvania.  

After 18 holes, Natalie Nakamine (Pearl City, Hawaii/Roosevelt) was the top scoring Loggers, finishing with a 13-over 85.  Sarah Bicker (Salt Lake City, Utah/Skyline) and Jenson each finished with a score of 14-over 86.  Megan Starr (Wayzata, Minn./Hopkins) carded a 93 while Britt Hamlin (Corvallis, Ore./Oregon State) shot 94 in the opening round.

10th-ranked Wisconsin-Eau Claire took the lead following the first day, combining for a +24 312 to finish the first round six strokes ahead of second-place St. Lawrence. Torie Ives of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Stephanie Mingos of Rhodes are tied atop the individual leaderboard, with both golfers shooting an even-par 72.

The Loggers are set to tee off at Noon EDT on Thursday for the second round of the championship.

Results