HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. — The UTSA women's golf team finished third and broke a pair of school records in the process at the Ron Moore Intercollegiate, which concluded on Sunday at Highlands Ranch Golf Club (par 72/6,450 yards).
The Roadrunners registered their top finish of the season by turning in a 5-under-par 859 to break the previous program standard for low 54-hole total of 860 set at the 2013 Alamo Invitational. UTSA posted a 7-under 281 on the strength of three red numbers in the final round, the lowest team round overall and versus par in school annals.
The Birds were just one shot behind second-place Oregon State (858), which featured individual medalist Ellie Slama (67-71-67—205), and 10 back of team champion and host Denver (849). Washington State (862) and New Mexico (863) rounded out the top five in the 14-team field.
A trio of players dipped under par on Sunday to lead the way. Nikki Long fired a season-best 3-under 69 that featured five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 11th, while Ana Gonzalez and Julie Houston both recorded a 2-under 70.
Meanwhile, Madison Kidd was the team's top finisher with a career performance. The sophomore from Lake Jackson tied for 10th — her top collegiate showing — with a personal-best 3-under 213. She posted even-par rounds on Friday and Sunday sandwiched around a career-best 69 on Saturday.
Gonzalez was one shot behind Kidd with a 2-under 214, which was good for sole possession of 13th place. The freshman from Mexico had rounds of 71 and 73 before Sunday's 70.
Long was one stroke and one place behind Gonzalez after finishing 14th at 1-under 214. The senior from San Antonio posted a 71-75—146 before her season-best 69 in the final round, and the all-conference performer wrote down a team-best 14 birdies.
Houston tied for 19th with a 1-over 217 (72-75-70) on the strength of 11 birdies, as the junior from Allen finished in the top 20 for the second time this fall.
Becky McGeehan was 63rd with a 234 (76-81-77).
The Roadrunners will return to San Antonio and host the Maryb S. Kauth Invitational on Oct. 22-24 at Briggs Ranch Golf Club.
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