SOUTH JORDAN, Utah - Northwest Nazarene women's golf got off to a very good start at the Westminster Wasatch Invitational on Friday, finishing the opening round just 10 strokes out of the lead and in a tie for fourth as a team.

"I'm so proud of our ladies today," said head coach Craig Stensgaard. "The conditions were really tough and they showed some serious grit. They did a great job of staying positive all day."

The 14-team field battled high winds and a two-hour lightning delay. NNU shot a 314, tied with Colorado Mesa and Metro State. Biola holds the lead at 304, followed by Colorado Christian at 307 and Western Washington at 308.

"We talk about having a good mindset and staying positive in the van and at practice. Today they took it onto the course and showed how important it is."

Three Nighthawks are in the top 15 individually, led by Hannah Holloway and Madison Gridley both amidst a six-way tie for eighth with rounds of 77 (+5). Christine Cho is one of another six golfers that shot a 78, tying for 14th. 

Holloway is in a tie for the lead in par three scoring after round one, averaging a stroke below par on such holes. Cho has impressed in just her second collegiate competition, recording four birdies in the opening round, tied for third-most among the field.

Brianna Shervik finished the opening round in a tie for 39th with an 82, rounding out the four scorers for NNU. Allison MacMillan also shot an 88 on the day.