PARIS, Ky. -- Three Christopher Newport women's golfers are in the top ten of the individual leaderboard to helped lead the Captains to an impressive 19-over 307 on the first day of the Transylvania Women's Fall Classic on Sunday afternoon. Rookie Madeleine Smith (+4) and sophomore Maddie Cameron (+4) led the way for Christopher Newport and are tied for 7th after the opening round. 

After setting the program scoring record at the Transylvania event last season, the Captains registered another top-five single round scoring performance in 2026. Playing on the 5,601-yard par 72 track at the Houston Oaks GCS, the Captains recorded 11 birdies and one eagle to finish 19-over and just three strokes off the pace set by Denison (+16). CNU is tied with Rose-Hulman for second place. 

Starting the day on the tenth hole, the Captains started out strong with four pars. Smith picked up her first birdie on the 330-yard par four 13th and added another on the 452-yard par five 17th. The highlight of the first round came after making the turn and taking on the 405-yard par five 1st hole. Smith attacked the hole and finished with her first career eagle, sinking a three to get back to one-over par through ten holes. 

The rest of the squad had a strong showing on the par five first with three birdies and a par. Gabi McGehee, Sara McCaskill, and Taylor Davis each dropped in birdies. Davis went back-to-back with another birdie on the 142-yard par three 2nd hole. 

Cameron caught fire on the front nine with seven pars and one birdie including a run of eight straight. She also started her round with seven straight pars and registered one of her finest single round performances. McGehee also had six pars and a bridie on the front nine. McCaskill had two birdies and five pars while Davis finished with three birdies and two pars. 

Christopher Newport will return to action on Monday for the second round. Live scoring is available on Scoreboard by Clippd with the link at CNUsports.com.