BECKER, Minn. – Junior Emily Olson and senior Liz Schwartz both broke into the 70s – and into the top 10 – to lead the College of Saint Benedict golf team Saturday in the first round of the 2019 MIAC Championships.
 
As a team, Saint Benedict sits fourth after the first 18 holes after shooting a 323 – the second-lowest 18-hole team score of the season. St. Kate's leads the field with a 312, Bethel is second with a 315 and St. Thomas in in third, four strokes ahead of CSB with a 319. CSB is four strokes ahead of Carleton, which is fifth with a 327.
 
Individually, Olson and Schwartz both had solid days to lead the time. Olson tied her season-low, shooting a 76 on Saturday at Pebble Creek, and is tied for third individually. After breaking into the 70s for the first time in her career earlier this season, Schwartz did it again Saturday, and is tied for sixth after shooting a 78.
 
All five of Saint Benedict's golfers are in the top 35 after the first round of play. Sophomore Grace Hillemeier shot an 82 Saturday and is tied for 18^th; junior Bridget Amundson carded an 87 and is tied for 30^th and senior Nikki Frederickson is tied for 32^nd after shooting an 88.
 
Carleton's Alyssa Akiyama leads the field with a 73 after the first round. St. Thomas' Cayla Kim is second with a 74, and the Wildcats' Sydney Brandt is tied for third with Olson with a 76.
 
The second round of play starts Saturday morning in Becker. CSB tees off starting at 10:27 a.m. with Frederickson, and then every nine minutes following.