By Matt Carlson

Daily Staff Writer

The ISU women’s golf team caught fire in the desert heat of Arizona, scorching a 54-hole score of 902 — the second-best score in school history — and tying Colorado State for second place in the Mountain View Invitational tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

“Our goal going in was to win it,” junior Lisa Meshke said. “It was nice being in position to win the tournament entering the third round.”

Iowa State’s feat came close to duplicating last year’s record-breaking performance of 891, the best in school history.

“The course sets up well for us; it’s a good atmosphere,” Meshke said.

Iowa State played well the first two rounds, carding scores of 297 and 296, placing the team in second and five strokes behind the leader and eventual winner, Denver. The Cyclones slipped a little in the third round, firing a 309, but held on for a second-place finish.

The Cyclones received solid performances from everyone, placing three golfers in the top 25 and having no one finish lower than 55th.

“It was a total team effort,” Meshke said. “Everyone got good scores.”

Meshke and fellow junior Louise Kenney paced the ISU attack, firing scores of 225 apiece, placing them in a tie for 12th.

Senior Cindy Whitmore also had a record-breaking day. She broke her career best mark of 232 by carding a 227, tying her for 25th place. She also set a career low second round total of 72, three strokes better than her previous mark. Senior Leanne Owens also performed well, placing 31st and shooting a 229 for the Cyclones.

Freshman Christi Athas, a former three-time overall and Class 1-A State Champion from 2001-2003 for Eldora-New Providence, carded the second best effort of her career — a 234 which put her at 55th place.

Iowa State travels to Norman, Okla., to compete in the Suzie Maxwell Berning Invitational on April 12-13.