Booton cards low round at IIAC Championship, Storm in fifth place

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Haley Booton turned in the best round of her young career and the Simpson women's golf team sits in fifth place at the halfway point of the Iowa Conference Championship.

The Storm shot a season-low 346 in the second round to gain a stroke on Nebraska Wesleyan in the race for fourth place. Simpson trailed the Prairie Wolves by two shots following Friday's first round but are now just one stroke back, 699 to 698. Wartburg leads the team race by 19 strokes.

After shooting a respectable opening-round 88 on Friday, Booton put everything together on Saturday at the par 72, 5,687-yard layout at Pheasant Ridge. The freshman shot an 82, the team's best round of the day and the best round by a Simpson golfer since former IIAC Individual Champion Jennifer Gafney in 2013.

Booton made five pars on the front nine to shoot 3-over before closing with 7-over on the back, putting her in a tie for 16th.

Simpson's leader after the first round, Courtney Mabeus shot an 87 and is in 19th place. Lydia Martin is tied for 24th, Madison Hance is tied for 26th and Kelsa Berkland is in 28th. 

The Tournament will conclude with the final two rounds next weekend, Oct. 7-8 at Prairie Links in Waverly, Iowa.

STORM SCORECARD
t16. Haley Booton, 88-82—170
19. Courtney Mabeus, 85-87—172
t24. Lydia Martin, 88-90—178
t26. Madison Hance, 92-89—181
28. Kelsa Berkland, 94-88—182