Ryan Records Her First Top-25 Finish of the Season

* University of Wyoming press release

TACOMA, Wash., -- Cowgirl Morgan Ryan recorded her first Top 25 finish of the 2023-24 season on Tuesday as she tied for 24th place in a field of 117 top women’s golfers at the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational hosted by Seattle University at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club in Tacoma, Wash.

Ryan finished with a 54-hole total of 221 (+5).

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As a team, the Cowgirls final three-round total of 911 (+47) placed them 18th in the 22-team field. Wyoming finished ahead of: North Dakota, who shot a 918 (+54); Portland State at 927 (+63); Eastern Washington at 938 (+74); and Cal State Bakersfield at 944 (+80).

“We started out the final round a little slow and we were trying to dig our way out of it the rest of the day,” said Josey Stender, University of Wyoming Head Women’s Golf Coach. “Morgan (Ryan) was pretty disappointed in her final round, but I told her that she is going to be in this position again and this was great experience for her. She still had a Top 25 finish in a very solid field of players. Jadan (Gonzalez), Kyla (Wilde) and Sam (Spielman) all had good rounds this week. We just need to continue to work on consistency and getting everyone playing well together at that same time.”

Ryan entered Tuesday’s final round tied for first place. Wyoming’s four other team members were: Jadan Gonzalez, who tied for 54th at 226 (+10); Kyla Wilde, tied for 80th at 231 (+15); Samantha Spielman, who tied for 86th at 233 (+17); and Tomine Bjerkelo, who tied for 107th at 239 (+23). Cowgirl Sophie Spiva played as an individual and tied for 105th place at 238 (+22).
The team title was captured by Grand Canyon, who recorded a final team score of 866 (+2) to win by three strokes over Nevada. The Wolf Pack finished at 869 (+5). Leah John of Nevada won medalist honors with a final score of 211 (-5) to hold off Carly Strole of Grand Canyon, who shot a 212 (-4).

The Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational was hosted by Seattle University at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The course measured 6,037 yards and played to a par of 72.

Team Standings

1. Grand Canyon 296-290-280=866 (+2)

2. Nevada 293-287-289=869 (+5)

3. SantaClara 292-290-294=876 (+12)

4. UC Irvine 298-286-293=877 (+13)

5. Cal State Fullerton 295-296-290=881 (+17)

Gonzaga 298-298-285=881 (+17)

Seattle 295-302-284=881 (+17)

8. Sacred Heart 301-296-290=887 (+23)

9. Fresno State 296-297-295=888 (+24)

10. Hawaii 304-297-288=889 (+25)

Montana State 287-308-294=889 (+25)