AMARILLO, Texas (Oct. 4, 2021) – Wilma Merenmies was tied for fifth and her Oklahoma Christian squad also was in fifth place on Monday after the first round of the West Texas A&M Fall Invitational as Tascosa Golf Club.

No. 24-ranked OC posted a team score of 300, putting the Eagles within striking distance of tournament leader Angelo State (Texas), which had a 293. No. 14 Texas A&M-Commerce, No. 17 West Texas A&M and Texas-Tyler were tied for second in the 13-team field at 296. OC was eight shots ahead of sixth-place Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Merenmies, a sophomore from Raasepori, Finland, had three birdies en route to a 1-over-par 72 on the 5,865-yard course. She trailed the individual leader, Alyssa Campbell of West Texas A&M, by seven shots, but will enter Tuesday's final round just three shots out of second place.

Also in the top 10 in the 70-player field was OC freshman Haley Blevins of Edmond, Okla., who also had three birdies while posting a 73. Three shots further back, tied for 22nd, was freshman Sarah Sherrard of Moore, Okla.

OC junior Alexandria Bennett of Plano, Texas, shot a 79 and was tied for 33rd, while freshman Sofia Benavides Herberth was tied for 42nd after posting an 80.

The final round will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday.