LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – The Colorado Mesa women's golf team opened play at the Southwest Minnesota State Challenge at Wigwam Golf Club's Blue Course on Thursday (Mar. 7) afternoon. This is the second tournament they are competing in this week at Wigwam as they played the SMSU Spring Invite earlier this week.
 
They are in first place on the team leaderboard after the first round as they fired a 21-over, 309 as a team, which accounts for the scores of their top four golfers. They have a six-stroke lead on both Minnesota State and Northwest Nazarene heading into the second round.
 
Junior Cassidy Phelan continues to lead the Mavericks and today was no different. Phelan shot an even-par, 72 in her first round of the tournament as she carded four birdies, two bogeys and a double. She sat at 1-over until the final hole of the day as she birdied No. 18 to play both round at even par on each nine.
 
Sophomore Payton Panzeri enjoyed her best day as a Maverick golfer on Thursday. Panzeri shot a 4-over, 76 as she hauled in three birdies, four bogeys and a triple in the round. She shot an even-par, 37 on the front-nine before closing with the full 4-over to finish the day in a tie for fifth.
 
Myranda Kotlowski (+10, 82) and Sadie Kelley (+7, 79) rounded out the Maverick scorers.
 
Northwest Nazarene's Madison Gridley leads the individual medalist race as she shot a 1-under, 71 in the first round.
 
The second and final round is set to tee off tomorrow morning.