BILLINGS — A Montana Tech signee is in striking distance after the first round of the Montana Women’s State Amateur golf tournament, a Montana

Fairfield’s Emma Woods, an incoming freshman on the Oredigger golf team, fired a 5-over-par 77 Thursday at Lake Hills Golf Course. That puts her in fifth place with two rounds to play. (Leaderboard)

Bozeman’s Kameryn Basye leads the way after an opening-round 73. She holds a one-shot lead over Bozeman’s Samantha Yates and Helena’s Anna DeMars. Alexis Hightower of Billings is third at 76.

In all, nine players broke 80 on the course that was playing long and tough.

Woods is one of eight current or future Orediggers playing in the tournament.

Butte High Graduate Kodie Hoagland shot an 87 and is tied for third in Flight 1 with fellow Butte High grad and future Tech teammate Emily Kelly.

Tech’s Cierra Sundheim hit an 89, while teammate Sami Benson shot a 90, and Samantha Moore hit 94. Also from the Tech team, Franchi Ceartin hit 97, and Kennedy Lean shot 98.