MARQUETTE – The Northern Michigan University women’s golf team play in its first-ever competition over the weekend, while the veteran men’s team is in first place at a conference tournament being held downstate.

Wildcat women 8th

At Jeromesville, Ohio, the Wildcats shot 692 over two rounds at the par-72 Mohican Hills Golf Course in the Eagle Invitational with the introduction of women’s golf to the NMU athletic slate this fall.

“This weekend was a positive experience for us as a new team,” Northern head coach Kyle Wittenbach said. “We look forward to progressing throughout the next few weeks.”

In Saturday’s first round, the Wildcats shot 342, which put them in eighth place, then added 350 Sunday.

Baylee Dunmire shot 79 on Saturday and 83 Sunday for 162 to lead NMU and tie for 10th overall, while teammate Karissa Guthrie had 83-80-163 for a tie for 12th.

Other Wildcats and their scores and places were Alyce Krumm, 91-92-183, tied for 48th; Megan Sarotte, 89-98-187, 54th; and Lillian Torres, 97-95-192, 58th.

Ashland’s Kaitlin Neumann shot 150 on rounds of 77 73 to win the individual title, while Wheeling Jesuit’s Kasey Frazier (74-78-152), Notre Dame College’s Michiko Smith (78-75-153) and Ashland’s Ali Green (77-78-150) rounded out the top four.

The Wildcats return to action Saturday at an invitational hosted by Grand Valley State at The Meadows in Allendale.

Northern men on top

At South Haven, the Wildcat men are in front after Sunday’s first round of the GLIAC North Invitational after shooting 291 in the first round on the par-72 HawksHead Links.

NMU freshman Martin Eliasson shot 66 for the best round of the day by two strokes over Malone’s Jake Troyer. There were only four golfers who broke par.

“Martin shot the lowest round any NMU player has shot since I’ve been coaching here, and we’re all happy for him,” said Wittenbach, who is also the men’s golf coach. “We will play our best (today) and play to win.”

Northern’s Dustin Dishaw shot an even-par 72 to tie for fifth, while Austin Elsner shot 76 to tie for 30th and Cyril Botha 77 to tie for 38th to break into the top half of the 80-man field.

Ferris State is in second place, four strokes behind the Wildcats with 295, in the team race, while Malone is a close third at 296 and Ashland, Ohio Dominican and Lake Superior State are all another stroke back at 297.

The Wildcats will try to win their second team title of the season when the event concludes today.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal. net.