OWASSO, Okla. (Sept. 22, 2014) – Two of the best women's golf teams in the Heartland Conference are the two top teams on the leaderboard at the inaugural National Christian College Athletic Association Central Region Championship.

Oklahoma Christian shot a team score of 296 in the tournament's first round on Monday at Owasso Golf and Athletic Club and is two shots behind NCAA Division II and NCCAA power Dallas Baptist (Texas). The Heartland squads are well ahead of McMurry (Texas) and Southwestern Christian, who were tied for third in the five-team race at 325, with host Oklahoma Wesleyan last at 364.

Led by rounds of 1-over-par 73 by Allison Sell and Audrey Meisch, the Lady Eagles put themselves in position to challenge Tuesday for the regional title and an automatic berth to the NCCAA Championship in Panama City Beach, Fla., in late October that goes to the team champion.

DBU and OC both have finished in the top three at the NCCAA Invitational each of the past two years and whichever team doesn't win the regional title likely will receive an at-large bid to the national tournament.

Meisch and Sell were tied for third, two shots off the individual lead held by Sydney Williams of Dallas Baptist. DBU's Erin Barrington was second after shooting a 72 on the 6,132-yard course.

OC senior Anna Arrese Cortadellas was tied for fifth in the 31-woman field after firing a 74. OC's other two players, Catherine Odgers and India Matthews, each posted a 76 and were tied for eighth.

"The team played well," OC coach Greg Lynn said. "We need to have an under-par score to compete better and I think we can do that."