by Riley Bauling
Daily Lobo
The only difference between women's golfers Christina Spence and Christine Fernandez on Thursday was the last letter of their first names.
Senior Spence and junior Fernandez both shot a 1-over-par at the Mountain West Conference Championships in Bend, Ore., to end the first day in a tie for third place.
University of Nevada-Las Vegas golfer Elena Kurokawa is in first place in the three-day tournament at 2-under-par.
As a team, the No. 14-ranked Lobos are in sole possession of second place with a total score of 16-over-par. They are five shots behind first place UNLV, which is ranked No. 25.
Head coach Jackie Booth said UNM is in no danger of not qualifying for the NCAA regional tournament held May 5-7. She said a team has to be among the top 21 in its region to qualify for regionals. The Lobos are ranked fifth.
UNM senior Kailin Downs, ranked No. 22 in the country, wasn't in her normal position at the top of the leader board after the first round. Downs shot a 7-over-par to finish the day in a tie for 14th.
"Kailin just wasn't hitting the ball well today," Booth said. "Her short game saved her. She was chipping and putting really well, but she was hitting the ball crooked."
Booth said the Lobos are sitting pretty in second place, though.
"We're not really worried about coming from behind," she said. "It's a lot easier than trying to stay on top."
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