Day Three Surge Lifts Redbirds to Eighth Place Finish at Ozarks Invitational

Image courtesy of Illinois State Athletics

HOLLISTER, Mo. — Illinois State women’s golf wrapped up play at the 2026 Ozarks National Invitational in Hollister, Missouri, finishing eighth overall behind a steady three-day performance and a strong final round.

Day 1

The Redbirds opened the tournament in 10th place after the first round, setting themselves up with room to climb the leaderboard.

Elise Fennell led the Redbirds with a 4-over 76, carding two birdies and 12 pars to sit tied for 10th. Reagan Kennedy followed with a 7-over 79, adding one birdie and 10 pars, while Alex Sparrow posted an 81 with two birdies.

Dani Grace Schrock recorded nine pars in her round of 87, and Reagan Braker provided an early highlight with a hole-in-one—Illinois State’s second in as many tournaments—finishing with an 89.

Day 2

Illinois State showed improvement in the second round, climbing two spots and staying within striking distance heading into the final day.

Kennedy led the charge with a 1-over 73, totaling two birdies and 13 pars to move into a tie for 12th. Fennell remained consistent, recording another steady round to sit just one stroke back in a tie for 14th.

Sparrow delivered one of the standout moments of the day with an eagle, adding three birdies in her round of 77. Schrock also bounced back with four birdies on her way to an 80, while Braker added six pars in her second round.

Day 3

Behind a strong final-round performance, the Redbirds surged to an eighth-place finish.

Fennell led the team with a final-round 73, finishing with a three-round total of 226 to tie for ninth overall. Her consistent play throughout the tournament included a high number of pars and one of the best par-4 scoring averages in the field.

Kennedy closed with a 77 to finish at 229, tying for 14th, while Alex Sparrow placed 39th after recording two birdies in her final round. Schrock carded an 80 to finish tied for 55th, and Braker rounded out the Redbirds lineup in 72nd.

Tournament host Missouri State claimed the team title with a three-round score of 904. South Dakota State finished second at 912, followed closely by UTEP in third with a 914. South Dakota placed fourth with a score of 916, while Texas A&M–Corpus Christi rounded out the top five with a 927.

The Redbirds returns to action April 12–13 at the Boilermaker Spring Classic in West Lafayette, Indiana, before preparing for the Missouri Valley Conference Championship.

For all things Redbird golf, stay tuned to wznd.com.