April 20, 2004

Complete Results

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University's Katja Trygg (So., Bainbridge Island) took medalist honors and teammate Kelly White (Sr., Monroe) tied for second, leading the Vikings to a 34-stroke victory at the WWU Invitational Women's Golf Tournament which ended Tuesday 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 a final-round 310 for a 54-hole total of 920. The Vikings, who won their own tourney title for the second straight year, had two rounds of 305 Monday, leading by 10 strokes after the first round and by 25 after two rounds.

Western New Mexico, ranked No.6 nationally and tied for No.2 in the region, placed second in the seven-team tourney at 954, shooting a final-round 319. Cal State San Marcos, ranked No.4 nationally in the NAIA, was third at 966 (322), with NCAA Division I Northern Colorado fourth at 971 (321), and NCAA II No.15 Chico State (No.9 in West Region) fifth at 976 (331). Grand Canyon was sixth at 1,002 (341), and Cal State Monterey Bay, ranked No.11 in the NAIA, was seventh at 1,007 (337).

"To win by 34 shots is unbelievable," said Western coach Dean Russell, whose team needed a strong showing to remain in contention for a second straight trip to the West Regional Tournament. The six qualifying teams will be announced Monday.

"Even with the high winds today, the team kept its focus. I believe we showed that we are worthy of a regional selection."

Trygg (So., Bainbridge Island), who held a three-shot lead entering the final round, shot 5-over 78 for a 227 total. That was three shots better than White (78), the defending champion, who tied for second at 230 with Stephanie Segura (74) from Cal State San Marcos and Meghan Rooney (78) from Grand Canyon.

"Katja played a tough round of golf today," Russell said. "She started out a bit slow, but after the fifth hole she played even par the rest of the way in."

"White struggled a bit during the early part of the spring, but the last couple of tournaments, she's really got her game back and she's at her best in tough conditions."

Western's Katie Bender (Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) finished fifth at 232 (77), and the Vikings' Candice Wagner (So., Milton/Fife) was sixth at 234 (77).

"Katie has had a great year," said Russell. "She's one of the best freshmen in Division II golf."

Katy Murphy from Cal State Monterey Bay was seventh at 235 (78), with Western New Mexico's Kim Cammer (74) and Cal State San Marcos' Jennell French (79) tied for eighth, and Kristen Kennedy from Western New Mexico 10th at 238 (85).

Western's Sarah Cooper (Sr., Marysville/Archbishop Murphy) tied for 20th at 248 (87), and Kate Menlove (Jr., Bellevue/Interlake), playing as an individual, tied for 30th at 249 (86).