March 29, 2004

GOODYEAR, Ari. - Western Washington University freshman Katie Bender (Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) shot a 4-over par 76 and is tied for seventh in the medalist standings and the Vikings are 10th among 18 teams heading into Tuesday's final round at the Grand Canyon University Invitational Women's Golf Tournament being held at the Palm Valley Golf Course.

The Vikings, ranked No.6 nationally in the latest Golfstat/NCAA Division II report, shot 322 in Monday's opening round. They have struggled after successfully defending their championship at the Chico State Invitational on March 8-9, placing ninth at the Texas A&M Commerce Invitational last week.

"We've got to go out there and play a real strong round of golf," said Western coach Dean Russell, whose team is looking to secure a second straight berth in the West Regional. "We know what we have to do, we just need to get some more cylinders clicking and we'll be okay for regionals."

Northeastern Oklahoma State, ranked No.8 nationally, leads the tourney at 309. Three teams are tied for second place at 312 - No.3 St. Mary's TX, Central Oklahoma and No.4 Western New Mexico. Northern Colorado is fifth at 314, with British Columbia sixth (316), Tarleton State TX and Chico State tied for seventh (320), and West Texas A&M ninth (321).

Katja Trygg (So., Bainbridge Island) shot 80 for the Vikings and is tied for 30th, Western's Candice Wagner (So., Milton/Fife) is tied for 39th at 81, Sarah Cooper (Sr., Marysville/Archbishop Murphy) is tied for 61st at 85 and Kelly White (Sr., Monroe) is tied for 63rd at 86.

Topping the medalist standings is Northeastern Oklahoma State's Allison Toomer, who shot an even par 72. That is two strokes ahead of Kelly Callison from Central Oklahoma.