OKLAHOMA CITY (March 7, 2022) – Chilly temperatures didn't seem to faze Oklahoma Christian's women's golf team much during its first round of the spring season.

Led by freshman Sofia Benavides Herberth's 1-under-par 70, the Eagles soared to the first-round lead on Monday in the Diffie Ford-Lincoln Invitational, hosted by Southern Nazarene at Lincoln Park Golf Club's West Course. The annual event usually is played at Kickingbird Golf Course in Edmond, which is closed for major renovations.

Playing conditions at Lincoln Park were difficult, with the temperature peaking at only 40 degrees and a strong north wind dropping wind chills into the upper 20s and low 30s. Tee times were delayed two hours due to a frost warning.

Still, OC posted a team score of 289 (5-over) to take an eight-shot lead over Northeastern State and Central Oklahoma, the latter of which finished one spot out of the most recent NCAA Division II coaches' poll. The NAIA's No. 1-ranked team, Oklahoma City University, stood fourth in the 15-team field at 302.

Benavides Herberth, a freshman from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, played steady golf, mixing in a pair of birdies (both on par-3 holes) with only one bogey and 15 pars on the 5,912-yard course. She stayed under par all the way after recording a birdie on her opening hole, No. 10.

She held a one-shot lead over four players – teammates Alexandria Bennett and Wilma Merenmies, Maddi Kamas of OCU and Morgan Brasser of Fort Hays State (Kan.).

Bennett, a junior from Plano, Texas, recorded three birdies en route to her 71 while Merenmies, a sophomore from Raasepori, Finland, posted five birdies, including three in a row near the end of her round on the par-4 No. 6, the par-5 No. 7 and the par-4 No. 8.

Freshman Sarah Sherrard of Moore was the Eagles' No. 4 player on Monday, shooting a 77, good for a tie for 17th in the 85-woman field.

OC freshman Haley Blevins of Edmond and sophomore Alyssa Wilson of Yukon (who is competing in the tournament as an individual) each shot an 82 and were tied for 42nd. Two other Eagles also are playing as individuals – junior Sarah Harrison of Edmond and freshman Kaybre Wright of Cushing.

The final round is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, weather permitting.