April 16, 2004

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Needing a strong showing to secure a second straight berth in the NCAA Division II West Regional, the Western Washington University women's golf team closes out the regular season with its own Viking Invitational on Monday and Tuesday at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club.

Of the seven teams participating, five are ranked nationally and another competes at the NCAA Division I level.

Western, No.12 in the latest Golfstat/NCAA Division II national rating, has struggled this spring after opening that portion of its schedule with a third straight victory at the seven-team Chico State Spring Classic. The Vikings then placed ninth among 15 teams at the Texas A&M-Commerce Invitational, and finished eighth among 18 teams at the Grand Canyon Invitational.

Also competing in the tournament, besides the Vikings, are Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal State San Marcos, Chico State, Grand Canyon, NCAA I Northern Colorado, and Western New Mexico. Rounding out the field are two players from Saint Martin's.

Western New Mexico is ranked No.5 nationally in Division II, and Chico State No.15. Cal State San Marcos is No.4 nationally among NAIA schools, with Cal State Monterey Bay No.11.

"We're on the edge and we have to have a very good showing," said Western coach Dean Russell about the Vikings' chances of securing one of the six regional berths. Western won last year's four-team Viking Invitational by 84 strokes over runner-up Chico State.

"We're the defending champion, and we need to go out and take care of business."

Western is currently No.6 in the region. Saint Mary's TX is No.1, Western New Mexico No.2, Northeastern Oklahoma State No.3 and tied for No.4 are Tarleton State TX and Central Oklahoma. Tied for No.7 are Chico State and Texas A&M Commerce.

Western is led by All-American Kelly White (Sr., Monroe), who has had an up-and-down spring, but still leads the team with an 80.2 scoring average. Right behind her is freshman Katie Bender (Tacoma/Bellarmine Prep) at 80.7. Bender led the team by placing sixth at the Grand Canyon tournament.

Rounding out the Vikings' squad are Katja Trygg (So., Bainbridge Island) (81.7), who placed third at the Chico State tourney, Candice Wagner (So., Milton/Fife) (82.1), Sarah Cooper (Sr., Marysville/Archbishop Murphy) (83.3).

Playing as individuals for Western are Kate Menlove (Jr., Bellevue/Interlake) (85.0) and Emily Balch (So., Everett/Kamiak) (96.0)

The West Regional is May 3-5 at Las Cruces, NM.