OWOSSO – Avery Rochester finished in a tie for third place in a field of 79 golfers at the two-day Golf Association of Michigan’s Championship held at the Owosso Country Club in downstate Owosso west of Flint.

Rochester carded a 1-over-par 72 for the second straight day on Wednesday to finish at 144, five strokes behind champion Julie Guckian of Linden, according to the GAM website, www.gam.org.

Guckian carded rounds of 69 and 70 for 139 to win by two strokes over defending champion Jennifer Elsholz of Grand Rapids, who roared back with 66 on Wednesday after shooting 75 to open for 141.

Rochester tied with Emily White of Saline, who carded rounds of 73 and 71 for 142.

The only other Upper Peninsula player listed in the field, Zaafina Naqvi of Sault Ste. Marie, finished in a tie for 37th with 160 after shooting 81 on Wednesday.

Guckian had shared the first-round lead with Sarah Hoffman of Saline, who struggled to 81 Wednesday to come in 13th with 150.

Rochester, who will sit out this fall after transferring to play on Northern Michigan University’s new women’s golf team, played on Wednesday in the final group with Guckian and Hoffman.