WAVERLY— It was a steady start for the Central College women's golf team but the Dutch lacked a closing kick in the first round of the Wartburg Fall Invitational tourney Saturday.
           
Central shot 320 and is part of a four-way logjam in seventh place in the 17-team, 36-hole tourney which concludes Sunday.
           
"We were playing pretty well until the last couple of holes," coach Tabitha Schumacher said. "It felt like we stumbled across the finish a little."
           
Grinnell College, ranked No. 23 in the WGCA Division III coaches poll, is the first-round leader at 296 with Bethel University (Minn.) at 298 and the University of Dubuque at 308.
           
Grinnell's Meilin Hoshino carded a 2-under-par 70 at the Prairie Links Golf Course and holds a two-shot advantage over teammate Amy Nguyen. Central's Lydia Grond (senior, Hull, Boyden-Hull HS) is tied for 21st with 78. Amber Timmer (freshman, San Diego, Calif., Mount Carmel HS) and Parker Stout (senior, Lowden, North Cedar HS) followed at 80, tied for 33rd. Allie Pfantz (freshman, State Center, West Marshall HS) shot 82 and is tied for 41st while Jaden Smith (junior, Marengo, Iowa Valley HS) shot 87, tied for 67th.
           
Central's second unit shot 352 and stands in 16th place. Natalie Quella (freshman, Neenah, Wis.) is tied for 38th with 81.
           
"I'm happy with the performance and we are excited to play again tomorrow," Schumacher said.