MONTGOMERY — A third place finish in your own golf tournament isn’t always the goal set in mind, but for Washington, a third place Friday finish at Country Oaks was a sign of improvement.

Kayla Mercer shot 86, and her teammates combined for a 411 team score as the Hatchets placed third in a eight-team field.

As expected, southwestern Indiana power Jasper came home the winner of the annual Washington Invitational with a team score of 319. The Wildcats were followed by Vincennes Lincoln (380) in a day that featured an all-Big Eight Conference podium.

Jasper's McKenzie Hilsmeyer won the individual title with a round of 74. She was followed by Annie Getzin with a 77.

Lincoln's Ellie McClung paced the Alices with 85.

Washington coach Morris Petty was pleased to see the Hatchets come home third, and looked at Friday's results as an improvement from two-season opening invitationals earlier in the week.

The Hatchets previously scored 433 at Edgewood Thursday. Washington placed sixth in a field of 11, leaving the Hatchets 13-14 for the still-young season.

“Vast improvement,” Petty said. “We’ve three 18-hole matches and we’ve shot better in every one of them. We’re improving. Our new players are getting progressively better. They’re having less bad holes. We’re treating these matches as experience for our younger players.”

Mercer’s 86 was also welcomed, as her performance placed her seventh individually.

“She had a great day, and parred the last four holes,” Petty said. “She’s going to get progressively better.”

Natalya Meinhart finished second for Washington at 102. Cheyenne Jones (109), Haven Lunsford (114) and Liz Sievers (134) completed Washington's day.

Mercer shot 92 Thursday. Meinhart had 104, Jones 115, Sievers 122 and Lunsford 124.

North Daviess played its season opener, and was eighth in the eight-team field with a 465 team score. The result wasn’t overly disappointing to Cougar coach Brett Melton who noted his team started in similar fashion last fall before winning the Souhtwestern Indiana Athletic Conference title.

“It’s a tough day anytime you have to start with 18-hole matches,” Melton said. “The girls have been practicing for a week. We did the same thing last year. We finished next to last and ended up winning our conference.”

Cassie Knepp was the first Cougar home at 106. She was followed by Meghan Knepp (118), Mattie Wagler (120), Kirsten Madson (121) and Maggie Swartzentruber (125).

“We’ll get better,” Melton said. “I think it’s an eye-opener for the girls. They know what they need to work on, and we’ll address that stuff at practice. I look to improve, and I think we will.”

Jasper was the clear team winner and did well in the individual competition. Annika Harmon was third for Jasper with 83. Emily Horney shot 85 and Emily Schneider 96.

Owen Valley placed fourth (417) followed by North Knox (430), Linton (447), Eastern Greene (456) and the Cougars.

South Knox compete, but did not have enough players to score as a team.

 ”Overall we had a good week, getting better,” Petty said. “We’re looking to get better every day. That what we have to do.”

Team scores

Jasper (319)

McKenzie Hilsmeyer 74, Annie Getzin 77, Annika Harmon 83, Emily Horney 85, Emily Schneider 96.

Vincennes Lincoln (380)

Ellie McClung 85, Annie Hills 88, Mallory Flynn 103, Cryslaine Puntrini 104.

Washington (411)

Kayla Mercer (86), Natalya Meinhart (102), Cheyenne Jones (109), Haven Lunsford (114), Liz Sievers (134).

Owen Valley (417)

Kendall Arnold (93), Katrina Dayhuff (102), Keeley Arnold (110), Olivia West 112, Madison Summerlot 119.

North Knox (430)

Lauren Primus 85, Madison Utt 89, Lexi Vieck 117, Alexia Marshall 139.

Linton (447)

Katie Wells 98, Darcy Andis 110, Rachel Allen 118, Molly Wright 121.

Eastern Greene (456)

Macy Morguson 112, Lauren Miller 114, Regan Holtzclaw 115, Sierra New 115, Olivia Taylor 126.

North Daviess (465)

Cassie Knepp 106, Meghan Knepp 118, Mattie Wagler 120, Kirsten Madson 121, Maggie Swartzentruber 125.

South Knox (NTS)

Ashley Green 113, Whitney Peters 121, Mykle Patton 137.