BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State (+18) is third in an 11-team field after the opening round of the 36-hole Mimosa Hills Intercollegiate, which opened Sunday at Mimosa Hills Golf and Country Club.

The Mountaineers shot a team-306 and trail leader Bethune Cookman (+15) by three and Gardner-Webb (+16) by two heading into Monday's final round. Western Carolina, Elon, and Winthrop (308) are all tied for fourth.

Bethune-Cookman's Yudika Rodriguez and Winthrop's Ashley Stroup are tied for medalist honors after firing matching even-par 72s in the opening round. 

Seniors Hannah Craver (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and Emily Stinson (Charlotte, N.C.) led the App charge on the opening day. Craver opened with a 74 (+2) and Stinson fired a 75 (+3). Both are currently in the Top 10 and are within three shots of the lead. 

"We had a good showing today against the field and are getting very close,” App State Head Coach Heather Brown said following Sunday's round. “Tomorrow's weather will make it a nice battle amongst the leaders. We are defending champions and won in '15. We've never three-peated, so I'm lookingfor my kids to show up.” 

Sophomore Joliana Elias (Jamestown, N.C.) opened her tournament with a 78 (+6), while freshman Melany Chong (Mississauga, Canada) carded a 79 (+7). 

Junior Savanna Wood (Boone, N.C.) carded an 80 (+8) in her opening round.

Junior Annika Winebarger (State Road, N.C.) fired an 87 and Patricia Thompson (Granite Falls, N.C.) carded an 88 as an individual. 

Tuesday's final round is slated to begin with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

-App State-