College golf: Smith shoots 77 on opening day of D-II Nationals

FINDLAY, OHIO Angelo State University junior Raelyn Smith stands in 15th place after the first round of the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championships.

Smith shot a 77 at Findlay Country Club, which puts her seven shots off of co-leaders Carla Cooper of Tarleton State and Charlene Reid of Pfeiffer University, who both fired 70.

"The course is hard," said Smith, a 2006 Permian High School graduate. "But if you keep it in the fairway, it's manageable."

Smith had two birdies, including the second hole of round (No. 11). But a double bogey on No. 12 led the way to a 39 over her opening nine holes and she finished 3-over on her closing nine for the 5-over 77.

With 54 holes of golf left to play, Smith - who is just three shots behind three players in a tie for third place - has high hopes of a strong finish.

"I'm still in there," Smith said. "If I steadily improve a few shots every day this week, I should be right up there at the top. As long as I stay out of the 4-inch rough and hang in there and hit a few more fairways and get some putts to fall, I'll be just fine."