BECKER, Minnesota — The Saint Mary's University women's golf team posted a ninth-place 397 total Saturday in the first day of the MIAC Championships at Pebble Creek Golf Course.
 
The Cardinals were led by Kaitlin Kling (LeRoy, Minn.), who earned a total of 87 on the day, and Grace Gillis (New Ulm, Minn.), who followed Kling with a 97. 
 
In the lead after the opening day is Carleton College's Ziyi Wang with a one-over-par round of 73. Carleton's team also holds first place after Day 1 with a team total of 305, but Saint Catherine University's Kaitlyn Alvarez on at Carleton's heels. Alvarez is tied for second with Carleton's Abby Euyang at 74.  Saint Catherine's and the College of Saint Benedict are deadlocked in second place with team totals of 320.
 
Rounding out the Cardinal card of 397 was Michaela Heuckendorf (Plymouth, Minn.), who carded a 105; Paula Avila (Weslaco, Texas), who carded a 108; and Annika Blesener (North St. Paul, Minn.), who carded a 109.
 
The 54-hole MIAC championships continue tomorrow with Round 2; the final round will be Monday, October 9.