May 13, 2004

NCAA II National Championship Live Scoring

LONGWOOD, Fla. - The Western Washington University women's golf team moved up into a tie for fifth place following second-round action Thursday at the NCAA Division II National Championships being played at The Legacy Club at Alaqua Lakes.

The eight-team tournament continues through Saturday.

The Vikings shot 32-over par 320 on the par 72, 5,994-yard course for a 36-hole total of 644. They are tied with Grand Valley State MI (324).

"We played real hard again," said Western coach Dean Russell. "I was real pleased with the effort. We made up a few shots, and we could have gotten a couple more.

"We're shooting good rounds, but everybody today shot a couple better ones. We didn't hurt ourselves, and tomorrow we'll go out and give it a great run."

Tied for third at 635 are Florida Southern (309) and Northeastern State OK (322). Defending national champion and No.1-rated Rollins FL increased its lead from nine to 24 strokes, shooting 303 for the second straight day for a 606 total. Ferris State MI is second at 630 (316).

St. Cloud State MN is seventh at 648 (326), and Minnesota State-Mankato is eighth at 655 (324).

Western was led by Katja Trygg (So., Bainbridge Island), who shot a 4-over 76 and is tied for 17th in medalist play at 158. Kelly White (Sr., Monroe), who placed 10th at nationals last year, is 16th after shooting 80 for a 36-hole total of 157.

"Katja came back and played a great round of golf today," said Russell. "She really kept her composure after finishing a little weak yesterday."

The Vikings' Sarah Cooper (Sr., Marysville/Archbishop Murphy) shot 81 and is 28th at 163. Candice Wagner (Jr., Milton/Fife) is tied for 34th after shooting 83 for a 166 total, and Katie Bender (Fr., Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) is tied for 40th at 168 after a second-round 84.

Rollins' Mariana De Biase took over the top spot individually at 2-over 146, shooting an even par 72. She has a three-shot lead over Western New Mexico's Kristen Kennedy (74), and a four-stroke advantage over first-round leader Kim Keyer-Scott (78) of Northern Kentucky.

Western earned a berth at nationals by placing second at the West Regional, making up a 13-stroke deficit in the final round.