Wellman wins Medalist honors at Ohio Christian University Spring Invitational; Bears fall in playoff to Rio
The play of Shawnee State freshman golfing talent Aly Wellman was the main story for the Bears through both days of the Ohio Christian University Spring Invitational -- as Wellman's second day 90 was not only a three-stroke improvement of her Day 1 score, but allowed the Wayne, W. Va. native to make up a nine-stroke deficit en route to winning the event by four strokes over Rio Grande's Maddi Meadows in a thrilling individual finish on the final day of the invitational, which was held at Crown Hill Golf Course in Williamsport, Ohio.
Wellman, who shot a 93 on the opening day, trailed Meadows by nine strokes on the final day of competition. However, the talented freshman's consistency allowed Wellman to make up 13 strokes on Meadows -- and grab a four-stroke cushion at the finish of the event.
Behind Wellman, Alaina Collins and Erika Martin followed with fourth and fifth place finishes in the 16-player field, earning Ohio Christian University Spring Invitational All-Tournament honors as a result.
Cali Baird's ninth place showing and Maggie Siley's 10th place effort rounded out the brigade for SSU.
Wellman's effort, along with Collins -- who improved her Day 1 score by six strokes -- and Martin, who improved on her own Day 1 showing by seven strokes, helped Shawnee State force Rio Grande into a playoff before falling to the Red Storm. However, the Bears did make up a 15-stroke deficit as a team en route to forcing the playoff.
The women's golf program at Shawnee State will be back in action Monday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 2 when the Bears compete in the two-day UPike Spring Invitational.
For more information on SSU Bears Athletics, visit www.ssubears.com or visit the Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages at https://twitter.com/