Nicole Whiston Places in the Top 20 in her Collegiate Debut

Tuesday, September 10

Charleston, SC | Yeamans Hall

All Day

University of Tennessee

Cougar Classic

Nicole Whiston Places in the Top 20 in her Collegiate Debut

September 10, 2019 | Women's Golf

Leaderboard

Both Nicole and Waverly Whiston turn in under-par rounds to wrap up the Cougar Classic

By: Andy Kovar

CHARLESTON, S.C. – In her first tournament as a Lady Vol, freshman Nicole Whiston was the top player on the leaderboard for the University of Tennessee women's golf team at the Cougar Classic.

The San Diego, Calif. native placed inside of the top 20 on the individual leaderboard after having three rounds of par or better this week. She was one of just 10 players in the 93-player field to accomplish that feat and one of just three freshmen in the field to do so.

Whiston carded a final round of 71 (-1) to bookend her week with 1-under-par rounds. On Tuesday, she poured in five birdies including on in the final hole of her tournament at the par-4 eighth, helping her tie for 16th in her first ever event at the collegiate level.

She was one of two Lady Vols to card under-par third rounds with junior Waverly Whiston joining her under par. Waverly Whiston had the low round for Tennessee in the tournament, turning in a final round of 70 (-2).

Her round helped her move up 20 spots on the individual leaderboard and she jumped into the top 50. Waverly carded just one bogey on Tuesday while finding birdies on the par-5 fourth, the par-4 seventh and the par-4 14th to close out her week as an individual.

Sophomore Malia Stovall and senior Micheala Williams were just one stroke back of Waverly Whiston at 5-over-par for the week, which tied them for 47th, individually.

Stovall, who spent much of the day at even par, moved up two spots on the leaderboard in the final round.

As a team, Tennessee placed 12th on the leaderboard as a team. The Lady Vols are set to host the 23rd annual Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship next week at Cherokee Country Club.

Coach's Take
On Nicole Whiston's tournament:
"Nicole had a really good start to her college career. 16th place in this field was a great way to start her Tennessee career." – Coach Judi Pavon

On takeaways from the first tournament of the season:
"We didn't turn in any high scores so that was a positive, but we didn't shoot any low score either which was the difference between a good tournament and a bad one. We need to continue working on wedges and putting and eliminate our mistakes decision making." Coach Judi Pavon

On playing at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship next week:
"It's always great to host and give all the players an opportunity to compete. With the depth on our team this year, it will really help us making decisions in the future. I wish we were coming off a better tournament, but it will be great to bounce back at home."– Coach Judi Pavon

Final Scores:
Team

1	Vanderbilt	-27 (837)
2	Wake Forest	-26 (838)
3	Florida	-24 (840)
4	Arkansas	-9 (855)
T5	Furman	-2 (862)
T5	UCF	-2 (862)
T7	Florida State	+2 (866)
T7	College of Charleston	+2 (866)
9	North Carolina	+3 (867)
10	Auburn	+6 (870)
11	Campbell	+11 (875)
12	Tennessee	+12 (876)
13	Maryland	+15 (879)
14	NC State	+20 (884)
15	Penn State	+34 (898)
16	Boston College	+50 (914)
17	Georgetown	+58 (922)

Tennessee Team

Nicole Whiston	T16	214 (-2)
Micheala Williams	T47	221 (+5)
Malia Stovall	T47	221 (+5)
Hadley Walts	T54	222 (+6)
Mikayla Bardwell	T60	223 (+7)

Tennessee Individual

Waverly Whiston

T43

220 (+4)

Next Up:
The Lady Vols come home to host the 23rd annual Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship on Sept. 16-17 at Cherokee Country Club. Last season, both Mikayla Bardwell and Waverly Whiston placed inside of the top 15 on the leaderboard.