Simpson in fifth after first weekend of IIAC Championship

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Simpson women's golf team shot a 337 on Saturday and sits in fifth at the midway point of the Iowa Conference Championship from Pheasant Ridge Golf Club.

Wartburg put some distance between itself and second-place Central, holding an eight stroke lead at 639. Central is second (647), followed by Luther (679), Loras (683), Simpson (686), Buena Vista (706), Coe (725), Dubuque (755) and Cornell (768).

Defending champion Sarah Paulson of Central shot a 72 on Saturday, giving her a six-stroke lead over second-place Paige Klostermann of Wartburg. Paulson sits at 147 after the first two rounds.

Jennifer Gaffney followed her opening round 82 with an 85, putting her in soul possesion of 10th place (167) to lead the Storm.

Taylor Hillery improved three shots in the second round, firing an 84 to put her in a tie for 15th with a 171. Stacy Bergeson carded an 85 and owns 19th-place (172).

Molly Hill and Jennifer Stumpf are tied for 33rd with 185s, but arrived there in different fashions. Hill shot a 93 on Friday and a 92 on Saturday while Sumpf improved 19 shots, recovering from her opening round 102 with an 83 in the second round.

The Championship concludes October 7-8 with 36 holes at Lake Creek Country Club near Storm Lake. Friday's round begins at 9 a.m. with teams paired by their 36-hole team scores. Coe, Dubuque, and Cornell will tee off in the first wave, followed by Loras, Simpson, and host Buena Vista in the second wave, and Wartburg, Central, and Luther in the third.