As a warm-up for the Big 12 Fall Preview, the ISU women’s golf team traveled to the Colorado Invitational and placed third in the tournament.

The lady linksters were paced by senior Fiona Watson.

Watson tied for an overall second place with a 54-hole total of 220, setting a new ISU record. Her final round score of 70 also tied a school record.

“We actually did better than I thought we would finish,” Coach Julie Manning said. “I’m really happy for Fiona; she has been knocking at the door for a long time and she finally broke through.”

Watson, along with fellow senior, Sara Linneman, led the way. Linneman finished 11th individually with a total of 229.

“Sara played 53 great holes and just had a tough time finishing up,” Manning said.

Regarding the Cyclones’ two leaders, she said, “Those two are consistent and dependable players which helps for a successful situation.”

ISU ended with a 54-hole total of 929 behind Missouri (909) and Nebraska (887). The team was only four shots out of the lead after the second round.

However, the team as a whole, with the exception of Watson, did not hold together throughout the final round.

Freshman Noel Jacobusse shot a 239 to place 29th.

Cathy Matthews and Cathy Ennis had scores of 243 and 254, respectively.

“We’re pretty happy finishing third,” Linneman said.

However, she said, “It was kind of disappointing being that close to second and not coming through, but now we have to get ready for the Big 12.”

The Big 12 Fall Preview Tournament will be held in Colombia, Mo., on Oct 6-7. Manning said the Cyclone team will be ready.

She also said the Colorado Invitational and the other tournaments the team has played have given the golfers a chance to get familiar with their Big 12 competitors.

“We got a good look at the rest of the teams in the Big 12,” Manning said.

“It will be a tough battle, but we can’t play poorly on the last day or else the rest of the pack will pass us by.

“I think we are getting really close to peaking, but were aren’t quite there yet,” she said.