Grace’s women’s golf team celebrates its record-setting performance on Saturday. From left to right are Kara Godsey, Rachel Harvey, Kristin Holt, Sydney Abbott, Anna Marshall, Carolyn Pacocha, Lucy Young and Rebecca Hawes. (Photo provided)

WINONA LAKE — Grace’s women’s golf team had a record-setting weekend at the IWU Invitational.

Grace placed fourth out of 12 teams in a highly competitive field, featuring four teams who appeared in the NAIA poll. The Lady Lancers’ tournament total of 616 set a new program record for 36 holes, smashing Grace’s previous record by 13 strokes.

Individually, Anna Marshall claimed medalist honors. The senior shot 73 after the first day, three strokes out of the lead. But after another round of 73 on Saturday, Marshall had pulled herself into a tie atop the leaderboard.

In a playoff with Indiana Tech’s Carissa Graft, Marshall birdied the first hole to earn the individual trophy.

Marshall finished the weekend with a score of 146 for another program record. Her 146 beat Grace’s previous best total for 36 holes by four strokes.

Marshall’s two rounds of 73 tied for the second-lowest rounds of golf in program history.

As a team, Grace finished one shot out of second place; the Lady Lancers tied for fourth overall with No. 9 Northwestern Ohio. St. Francis (receiving votes in NAIA), Indiana Wesleyan (receiving votes) and No. 20 Indiana Tech were the only squads to beat Grace over the weekend.

Sydney Abbott was second for the Lady Lancers; she carded 75-79 to place 15th out of 75 golfers.

The remaining three scorers for Grace were all newcomers. Carolyn Pacocha bettered her score by 10 strokes with an 85-75. Lucy Young finished one stroke behind her at 79-82, and Rebecca Hawes carded an 80-85.

Kristin Holt (80-78) and Rachel Harvey (80-83) participated as individuals in the event.

“This tournament was a milestone event for us. We demonstrated we can go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the area,” said Grace head coach Denny Duncan. “Anna was sensational with easily the best 36-hole performance in our history. Sydney was her steady self, and our freshmen are providing incredible depth. Kristin Holt also was outstanding while playing as an individual.”

The Lady Lancers are back in action on Sept. 7-8 at the Defiance Invitational.