AUSTIN BREAKS SCHOOL RECORD IN FINAL ROUND OF BIG SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND 3 | PHOTO GALLERY

NINETY SIX, S.C. – The temperature was hot, but Alexandra Austin's game might have been a tad warmer as the sensational sophomore capped one of the best individual seasons by a Radford women's golfer Tuesday in the final round of the Big South Women's Golf Championship held at The Patriot Club (par 72, 6,083 yards).

After opening with two bogeys, Austin rallied as she had the previous two days to go 1-under-par over the remaining 16 holes to shoot a 1-over-par 73 and tie for eighth—her sixth top-10 of the season.

The Burke, Va. native's 224 (73-78-73) broke the 54-hole conference championship school record, which was held by Stephanie George, who fired a 225 (76-76-73) to win the 2001 conference title. Austin's 73s were the best by a Highlander since Megan Leineweber carded an even-par 72 in 2010.

“I felt like I was in the zone today,” Austin said. “After the first two holes, everything clicked.”

Redshirt junior Hayley Hammond posted her fourth top-20 of the season by charting a 230 (79-74-77) to tie for 19th. In 36th place was junior Kirsty Condon, who carded a 243 (78-84-81). She rallied to go just 3-over-par over her final nine holes in the final round.

Also showing resiliency was Paige Reese. The junior was 6-over-par through her opening three holes, but played her final 15 in just 1-over-par to return a 7-over-par 79 to the clubhouse. Her 54-hole 244 (85-80-79) tied for 37th in the 45-player field. Freshman Katie Parrott finished at 255 (86-84-85) to place 44th.

“I am really proud of the way we played the final 45 holes of this tournament,” head coach Jeff Beeler said. “Alex was outstanding…if she could have her first three holes back from yesterday, we might be looking at the conference champion.”

Radford matched its 54-hole total from a year ago by posting a 941 (315-316-310) to finish seventh. The Highlanders have a bright future, as all five players are eligible to return in the fall.

“On paper, next year is going to be exciting,” Beeler expressed. “I told this group after the round today, we have a lot to look forward to.”

39th-ranked Coastal Carolina upset defending champion and 34th-ranked Campbell to claim the team title and the automatic bid to the NCAA regionals.

Behind individual medalist and 64th-ranked Brittany Henderson's 3-over-par 219, the Chanticleers carded a three-day 880 to edge the Camels (888) by eight shots. Counting Henderson, Coastal had three golfers inside the top four of the individual standings.

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