COLBY — The Barton Community College women’s golf team began the 2013-14 season right where they left off from last season — in first place.
However the victory didn’t come easy at Colby’s Meadow Lake Golf Course as the Lady Cougars rallied on Monday to win the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference’s first meet of the season.
Barton trailed by five strokes after Sunday’s 18 holes of competition, but put together solid rounds during Monday’s nine-hole round to win by three strokes.  Freshman Natthakan Teeratrakul led the charge, capturing first place after shooting a 114 as the Lady Cougars had four individuals in the top 10.
Freshman Abbie Thelen, who competed as an individual and was not counted in Barton’s team score, posted a 128 to finish in third place.
Sophomores Blakelee Cooper of Hoisington and Kara Koepplin of Hutchinson finished in fifth and seventh places, posting scores of 132 and 134, respectively.
The Cougars finished with a team total of 522 to edge Dodge City, which finished at 525.
Barton will be back on the links on Sunday, Sept. 22, for the second conference meet, which will be at Mariah Hills Golf Course in Dodge City.