Lewis in top-30 after first round at NCAA Championships

HOUSTON – Senior Emily Lewis completed her first round at the NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championships in the top-30. Lewis became the first Chapman female golfer to compete in the championship event.

Lewis fired an opening round 78 to finish six-over par in a tie for 29th. The senior from Los Alamitos, Calif. was near the top of the leaderboard as she made the turn just one-over par. After putting in a birder on the 11th hole, Lewis was at even par.

However, she hit a bump on the last few holes with bogies on four of the last seven and a double bogie on another. She hit par on the 16th and 18th holes to gain some momentum into tomorrow's second round.

The top-15 teams and six individuals from non-advancing teams will advance to Friday's fourth and final round. Lewis was one of six golfers to be selected to compete as individuals. She is seven strokes back from the leader, Bailey Plourde, who was the only golfer to go under par in the first round.

Lewis tees off tomorrow at 12:10 p.m. (PT) for her second round as part of the second-to-last group on the course.