March 22, 2004

POTTSBORO, Texas - The Western Washington University women's golf team is in fifth place, just four strokes off the lead, at the 15-team Texas A&M University-Commerce Lady Lion Invitational Tournament which ends Tuesday at the Tanglewood Resort Golf Course.

The Vikings, ranked No.7 nationally in the latest Golfstat/NCAA Division II report, shot a first-round 336 Monday. The top eight teams are all within seven shots of the lead.

Tarleton State, ranked No.11, was the first-round leader at 332, two strokes in front of Central Oklahoma and No.16 Chico State, who were tied at 334. St. Mary's TX is fourth at 335, followed by the Vikings, West Texas A&M 337, host Texas A&M Commerce 338 and No.10 Northeastern Oklahoma 339.

"My feeling is that we're still very much in the hunt," said Western coach Dean Russell. "One hole really got us bad today. Tomorrow, it's anybody's championship and it could well be ours if we go out and have a good round."

"This tournament is a great one to do well in because a lot of teams from our region are entered. This week and next week's tournament at Grand Canyon will determine a lot of what happens as far as the regional selections."

Western was led by Katja Trygg (So., Bainbridge Island), who is tied for fifth at 81. Three Vikings - Katie Bender (Fr., Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep), Sarah Cooper (Sr., Marysville/Archbishop Murphy) and Candice Wagner (So., Milton/Fife) - are tied for 23rd at 85, and Kelly White (Sr., Monroe) is tied for 41st at 88.

The medalist leader at 2-over par 74 is Nicole Wyne from St. Mary's TX, who holds a four-shot lead over Traci Parkinson from Chico State. Just four players broke 80 in the first round.