May 12, 2006

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Florida - Hardin-Simmons women's golf team shot a final round 346 en route to a eighth place finish at the NCAA Division III Tournament. The four-day tournament was played at the par-73 layout of El Campeon Golf Course at the Mission Inn Golf & Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida.

The Cowgirls were led all week by their All-American Kristi Martin who shot 85 in the final round. Martin had her best round yesterday firing an 80. Her four rounds of 85-83-80-85 gave her a composite score of 333 and she ended up in a tie for 21st place.

HSU stayed consistent in the final round as Andra Boxberger and Chandra Hayes both shot 86. Boxberger bettered Hayes by six shots for the tournament as she had rounds of 89-87-87-86 for a 38th place finish with a 349. Hayes went on to finish 48th with a four-day score of 355. She had rounds of 92-85-92-86.

Megan Bennett recorded the Cowgirls fourth best score of the day with an 82. The 82 was a tournament best for Bennett as she shot 94-98-91 in the first three days. Andrea Conley, who had her best round yesterday with an 87, struggled to a 97 today. Conley had rounds of 100-99-87-97 to have a total of 383.

Methodist University, who has led since round one, easily won their 19th and ninth consecutive NCAA title with a 74 shot difference over second place Gustavus Adolphus. Methodist shot 312 in today's round for a composite score of 1240. Gustavus Adolphus jumped over De Pauw for second place by shooting a 329 in the final round. De Pauw who has been holding second place since round one shot 336 to finish one stroke behind Gustavus Adophus at 1317. Wartburg College finished fourth firing a 327 to finish at 1326. In fifth place was Wisconsin Eau Claire with a four day total of 1357.

Mary Hardin-Baylor tied HSU in today's round of plus-54 shooting a 346. UMHB finished seventh, 14 strokes behind Illinois Wesleyan with a total of 1383. Allegheny (1418) and Southwestern (1437) finished ninth and 10th respectively.

Methodist's Charlotte Williams had four rounds of 77-76-76-79 to win the individual title with a four stroke victory over two of her own teammates. Katie Dick (83-74-79-76) and Colleen Walsh (76-79-81-76) finished in a tie for second. Sarah Gates of De Pauw shot 77-78-79-79 to finish in a tie for fourth with Katie Tewell (79-78-79-77) of Franklin College.

This ends one of the most successful seasons for Coach Sherman and the Cowgirl golf team. This was their second trip to nationals in the last three years and they faired two places better this year. All five of the Cowgirls that played in this year's national tournament are returning for HSU next year so they will be looking for another trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

--- HSU Athletics ---