May 10, 2002
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue women's golf team is in third place following the second round of play at the NCAA Central Regional, hosted by Michigan State. The Boilermakers shot a 314 today on the Forest Akers West Golf Course, making their two-round score a 623.
Kent State and Ohio State are tied for the lead with a 621. Tulsa is close on Purdue's heels with a 624. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are tied for fifth with a 625.
The final round will be played Saturday, May 11. The top eight finishers will earn bids to the NCAA Championships in Auburn, Wash., which will be held May 21 to 24.
Purdue head coach Devon Brouse was happy with his team's play in the second day of action.
"I was really glad to see some different people step up to the challenge," Brouse said. "Yesterday we had some great contributions from Christy Rittenhouse and Caroline Laurens. Caroline was solid again today, but we also got some solid play from Kari Damron. We've shown that we have a lot of weapons. Hopefully we can put them all together in the in the final round."
Laurens and Damron both fired four-over-par 76s in the second round. Laurens, who finished the first round tied for seventh after shooting a 75, now is alone in fourth place with a two-round score of 151.
Not far behind is Rittenhouse, who shot an 81 today after carding a career-low 71 in the first round. Her two-round score of 152 has her alone in fifth place.
Damron is tied for 25th with a 158. Beth Hermes is tied for 50th after shooting an 81 today. Heather Zielinski also shot an 81 on the second round. She is tied for 58th.
Leading the field is the trio of Kent State's Martina Gillen, Baylor's Melanie Hagewood and Tulsa's Stacy Prammanasudh. Each has a 36-hole score of 148.
Laurens is pleased with the Boilermakers' play to date, but is looking ahead to the final round.
"I think we've all done well so far this weekend," Laurens said. "I'm happy with how I've played, but now the biggest thing is how we're playing as a team. We just have to put one more good round together."
According to Rittenhouse, the Boilermakers, who finished second at the Big Ten Championships this season, are prepared for the last 18 holes.
"I think we've been through a lot and know how to battle in these types of competitive situations," Rittenhouse said. "We are excited about the position we're in and know that a trip to NCAA's is in our hands. All we have to do is go out there and get it."
PURDUE - NCAA CENTRAL REGIONAL RESULTSPlace Golfer Score4th Caroline Laurens 75-76=151 (+7)5th Christy Rittenhouse 71-81=152 (+8)T25th Kari Damron 82-76=158 (+14)T50th Beth Hermes 81-81=162 (+18)T58th Heather Zielinski 82-81=163 (+19)3rd TEAM 309-314=623 (+47)
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