Coker Competes at SAC Championships Day 1

The 54-hole event features 12 SAC schools. Senior Jenna Werle led the Cobras with a 7-over 79, followed by junior Mack Taylor Bailey at 81 and grad student Kathleen Escobar and sophomore Haylie George at 82 each on the par 72 layouts. Freshman Daniella Gyoni shot 86.

Host Anderson, ranked 5th nationally, has a large 17-shot lead after carding a team score of 5-under, thanks to a scintillating performance by individual leader Kennedy Gooding, who rolled in seven birdies en route to a 6-under 66.

The Cobras managed six birdies but were victimized by too many high scores in their opening round. Werle and Geroge notched two birdies apiece.

"It just wasn't our day out there," head coach John Hackney said. "All of our young ladies had some stretches of brilliance, but we just had way too many big holes. Jenna played really well. It was just a couple of bad swings late in the round that kept her from shooting close to par. After a rough first nine, Mack got on track and shot 2-over on the back nine.

"We have the ability to shoot low scores so I am excited to see what our Cobras will do over the next two days! I know when we're all firing on all cylinders that we can be competitive."