TUCSON, Ariz. – Eighteen holes are in the books at the MountainView Collegiate and NM State remains right in the mix. After one round, NM State sits in a tie for twelfth place, knotted up with Wisconsin and Missouri. Despite being in twelfth, the Aggies are just five shots away from being in fifth place.
 
Valentina Origel and Alison Gastelum each caught fire on the front nine holes, both birdieing three consecutive holes. While Origel and Gastelum each finished at one-under on the front, it was freshman Kaylee Chen to post the lowest score over the nine holes. Chen birdied three times on her way to a two-under front nine.
 
Through the first day, Origel has posted the lowest score among the Aggies. Shooting a 71 (-1), Origel just edged out Emma Bunch, who carded an even 72. Gastelum and Chen finished right behind Origel and Bunch, shooting a 73 (+1) and 74 (+2), respectively.
 
Opening Round Notes

• NM State is tied for twelfth place with Wisconsin and Missouri after one round
• Valentina Origel finished Friday's action shooting a 71 (-1)
• Origel and Alison Gastelum both birdied on three consecutive holes throughout the round.
• The Aggies are tied for second in the field with 18 birdies, trailing just Ohio State (21).
• As a team, NM State is averaging 3.92 strokes on Par 4s – The second-lowest number in the field.