May 11, 2006

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Florida - Hardin-Simmons women's golf team battled through an extended weather delay in the third round to shoot their best round of the tournament so far with a 345. The Cowgirls are still in the eighth position with one round to play in the four-day NCAA Division III Tournament which is played at the par-73 layout of El Campeon Golf Course at the Mission Inn Golf & Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.

Kristi Martin, who was recently named honorable mention All-American and a West All Region performer, had her best round yet shooting a seven-over 80. Martin is now tied for 18th place and has been moving up the leader boards since her first round 85. She has a three-day total of 248.

Andra Boxberger stayed consistent for the Cowgirls as she shot 87 for the second straight day. Boxberger's three rounds of 89-87-87 have her at a three-day total of 263. She was also named to the West All Region team. Andrea Conley tied Boxberger with an 87 of her own. Today was Conley's best round of the tournament as she has a composite score of 286.

Juniors Chandra Hayes and Megan Bennett had rounds of 92 and 91 respectively. Hayes opened up the day with a 41 on the front side but could not find her game after the weather delay as she shot 51 on the back nine. Hayes has a three-round total of 269. Bennett on the other hand who has rounds of 94-98-91 is three strokes ahead of Conley at 283.

Methodist University continued to show why they are a national powerhouse in the women's ranks as they opened up a 54 shot difference between them and second place De Pauw University. Methodist has a three day total of 928 as De Pauw is at 982. Gustavus Adolphus who is making a strong case for second place shot 331 today to trail De Pauw by five strokes. Wartburg College is still in the fourth position with a composite score of 999 and Wisconsin Eau Clair is still in the fifth spot having a three round total of 1016.

Mary Hardin-Baylor shot two strokes better than HSU today and is right ahead of the Cowgirls in the seventh spot. UMHB is at 1037 and Southwestern University shot a third round 353 to sit in 10th place with a three round total of 1085.

Methodist's Charlotte Williams is still leading the tournament by five strokes. Her three rounds of 77-76-76 put her at 10 over and lead Sarah Gates (77-78-79) by five shots. Emily Ranney of Methodist is in third, one stroke behind Gates. Methodist's Katie Dick and Katie Tewell of Franklin College round out the top five as they are tied for fourth at 236.

Along with Martin and Boxberger earning rewards for their play this season, Coach Sherman was elected Region V Coach of the Year. Martin, Boxberger, and Hayes were all named to the Scholastic All-American Team.

The final round will resume tomorrow with teams teeing off with progressive tee times starting at 9 a.m.

--- HSU Athletics ---