Shean gets another top 10 finish

VALDOSTA, Ga. — University of Arkansas junior Kelli Shean moved up the leader board finishing in a tie for seventh overall at the Kinderlou Challenge in Valdosta, Ga., Tuesday.

The Cape Town, South Africa, native carded a final round for a two-day, three-round 222 finishing in windy, rainy conditions.

Shean paced the No. 41 Razorbacks to a 13th-place team showing with Arkansas improving to a 305 in the final round in the team’s inaugural appearance in the SEC-ACC challenge event.

Arkansas finished with a 926 (308-313-305). Shean (74-76-72) has been in the top 10 in each event this season and continues to play well.

“It was a little better today,” Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor said. “We have some work to do though. We have to solidify the lineup and get better at the little things.

“Kelli had another awesome round of golf,” Estes-Taylor continued. “She was solid all week.”

A pair of freshmen played well for Arkansas this week. Victoria Vela finished tied for 32nd overall with a 299 (77-76-76) while Meagan Roberts, competing in her first event, tied for 64th with 239 (77-83-79). Junior Corinna Rees tied for 64th as well with a 239 (80-71-78) and senior Kristin Ingram finished tied for 81st with 247 (83-80-84).

“We have some good freshmen,” Estes-Taylor said. “I can’t say enough about Victoria and how far she’s come along. Meagan did a good job in her first event as well. We have a bright future.”

Thirty-fifth-ranked Tulane won the event on the par 73, 6,265 yard Kinderlou Forest Golf Club. Tulane finished with an 889 (293-296-300). The top five included No. 27 Ohio State (302-292-302=896), No. 14 Tennessee (299-297-304=901), No. 12 Georgia (302-296-205=903) and No. 19 Vanderbilt (300-302-301=903).

Arkansas has eight days off from competition returning to the links March 12-14 at the Tiger/Wave Golf Classic in New Orleans, La.