April 19, 2004

Results

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - With four players among the top ten in the medalist standings, defending champion Western Washington University has a 25-stroke lead entering Tuesday's final round of the WWU Invitational Women's Golf Tournament being held at the par 73, 5,927-yard Bellingham Golf and Country Club.

Western, No.12 in the latest Golfstat/NCAA Division II national rating and No.6 in the West Region Poll, shot 305 in Monday's second round for a 36-hole total of 610. The Vikings led by 10 strokes after the first round, also shooting 305.

Western New Mexico, ranked No.6 nationally and No.2 in the region, is second in the seven-team tourney at 635 (315-320). Cal State San Marcos, ranked No.4 nationally in the NAIA, is third at 644 (325-319), with NCAA II No.15 Chico State fourth at 645 (320-325) and NCAA Division I Northern Colorado fifth at 650 (321-329).

Grand Canyon is sixth at 661 (338-323), and Cal State Monterey Bay, ranked No.11 in the NAIA, is seventh at 670 (332).

"We came out of the gate real fast in both rounds," said Western coach Dean Russell, whose team needs a strong showing to secure a second straight trip to the West Regional Tournament.

"The front nine we played just unbelievably on. The back nine here plays a little tougher ... but the two rounds are the best we've had this year, and we're sending a message as far as the regional selections. However, we have one more round to go and one more day to prove ourselves."

Western's Katja Trygg (So., Bainbridge Island) is the medalist leader at 3-over par 149 with rounds of 73 and 76. She holds a three-shot advantage over teammate and 2003 medalist Kelly White (Sr., Monroe) (75-77) and Grand Canyon's Meghan Rooney (79-73).

"Katja is striking the ball solid, and she's putting well," said Russell. "It was just a great day of concentration by her."

Tied for fourth place at 153 are Kristen Kennedy (78-75) from Western New Mexico and Alicia Ambrosini (77-76) from Chico State, with Grand Canyon's Jody Milne sixth at 154 (81-73).

The Vikings' Katie Bender (Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) is seventh at 155 (80-75), with teammates Candice Wagner (So., Milton/Fife) tied for ninth at 157 (80-77) and Sarah Cooper (Sr., Marysville/Archbishop Murphy) tied for 13th at 161 (77-84).

Western's Kate Menlove (Jr., Bellevue/Interlake), playing as an individual, is tied for 17th at 163 (81-82).

The Vikings won last year's four-team WWU Invitational by 84 strokes over runner-up Chico State.

Play begins at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday.