POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State closed out the Wolverine Invitational with the best single-round team score relative to par in program history, carding a 2-over 290 in the final round Tuesday at Talons Cove at Saratoga Springs. The Bengals finished the tournament at 889, the second-lowest 54-hole team total in program history.
Bengal Bites
Sarah Chen recorded the first eagle of the season for Idaho State, and the first of her collegiate career, holing out on the par-5 first hole in the final round. She finished the tournament tied for 50th at 17-over 233.
Izzy Hassebrock and Venus Yong both broke par in the final round. Hassebrock shot 3-under 69, and Yong carded a 1-under 71, a career best.
Head coach Todd Loveland credited the team's practice habits and internal competition for the strong finish.
"I think that it just leads to the work that we've put in getting up to this tournament," Loveland said. "The team's been very invested in the practice, and the competition between our players is extremely tight, which led to some good tournament scores for us this week."
On Hassebrock and Yong's under-par rounds, Loveland pointed to the depth of the roster.
"Izzy's done it before. A few times last year she was able to break par, and I was really happy to see her rebound in the third round and get that low score in," Loveland said. "Venus, it was fantastic today, the score she shot. Being able to break par in a collegiate tournament as an individual is a huge accomplishment. I think it just shows how deep we are as a team and how the competition this year is going to be really tough for us."
Loveland also noted that two Bengals competed in their first collegiate tournament this week and performed well.
Andrea Chin led Idaho State for the third straight round, closing at 6-over 222 (T14). Kaylie Parola finished tied for 19th at 7-over 223, capping the week with an even-par final round. Erica Wang was tied for 34th at 11-over 227.
Playing as individuals, Lauren Aasand tied for 50th at 17-over 233 and Avery Bayer tied for 55th at 20-over 236.
Team Notes
•      Idaho State's final-round 2-over 290 is the best single-round score relative to par in program history.
•      The Bengals' 889 team total is the second-lowest 54-hole score in program history.
•      Sarah Chen's eagle on the par-5 first hole in the final round was the first for Idaho State this season and the first of her collegiate career.
•      Izzy Hassebrock (69) and Venus Yong (71) both shot under par in the final round.
Next Up
Idaho State heads to Bozeman, Montana, for its next tournament. Loveland said long lag putting will be a focus in practice.
