Chen's stunning performance of 3 eagles highlights GC's effort at SLIAC Championships

Grinnell golfers hold down 7 of top 9 spots entering final day of tourney

Results

EDINGBURGH, Ind. - Madison Chen '30 recorded one of the most impressive rounds of golf in the storied history of the Grinnell College women's program Monday at the 2026 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Championships.

Chen posted not one, not two, but an unheard-of three eagles while shooting a 3-under-par 69 at Timbergate Golf Club. That score ranks fourth in Grinnell history.

Chen's eagles came on three par-5 holes - the 450-yard fourth hole, 449-yard 13th and 435-yard 16th. Chen, who also posted a birdie, is the overall leader in the 52-golfer field with a 139.

Pioneers hold down the top five positions, with Caroline Hoang '30 and Coco He '30 tied for second at 147, Emily Lackershire '27 sitting at fourth with a 149 and Saya Geisendorfer '27 at fifth with a 153.

Waverly Yang '28 is tied for sixth with a 156 and Sammi Nguyen '30 is ninth at 161.

All of Grinnell's players besides Chen shot in the 70s Monday, led by He's total of 75. Lackershire came in at 76, Hoang shot 77, Geisendorfer and Yang added 78s and Nguyen fired a 79. He posted four birdies on Monday, Nguyen tallied three, Lackershire and Geisendorfer had two apiece and Hoang and Yang added one each.

Mississippi University of Women is 61 shots behind Grinnell in second place entering Tuesday's find round.

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Players Mentioned

Saya Geisendorfer: Senior

Emily Lackershire: Senior

Waverly Yang: Junior

Madison Chen: First-Year

Coco He: First-Year

Caroline Hoang: First-Year

Sammi Nguyen: First-Year

Players Mentioned

Saya Geisendorfer
: Senior

Emily Lackershire
: Senior

Waverly Yang
: Junior

Madison Chen
: First-Year

Coco He
: First-Year

Caroline Hoang
: First-Year

Sammi Nguyen
: First-Year