Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
NCAA Central Regional Championships
Hoosiers Qualify For NCAA Finals
5/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
May 12, 2007
Complete NCAA Central Regional Results
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Highlights from Saturday's final round can be found at www.golfweektv.com.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Junior Elaine Harris fired a 2-under-par 69 to lead the Hoosiers as the Indiana women's golf team qualified for its first NCAA Finals since 1998. IU wrapped up the NCAA Central Regional with a team total of 884 (289-295-300), good for a fourth place finish. It was the Hoosiers' best team total in an NCAA Regional.
"It's really hard for me to put into words my feelings right now," IU head coach Clint Wallman said. "I'm really excited for the girls and I'm really proud of them. They showed a lot of heart today. The beginning of the round, we struggled a bit, but they really came back and closed it out strong."
Harris finished the tournament with a total of 216 (72-75-69), good for a tie for seventh place. She wrapped up the tournament by recording birdies on four of the final six holes, including both the 17th and 18th, to lead the Cream and Crimson. Her 69 was the low round of the day for the tournament field.
Following Harris was fellow junior Lauren Harling, who carded a 1-over 72 in the final round to wrap up the event in a tie for 21st at 225 (76-77-72). She played a very steady round, making just two bogies and one birdie for her total as the first player from Indiana out on the day. At the same total and placement was freshman Anita Gahir, who turned in an 84 on Saturday to go along with rounds of 70 and 71 earlier in the week.
Freshman Kellye Belcher wrapped up her first NCAA Regional experience, along with the rest of her teammates, with a total of 226 (72-75-79). After struggling to a 7-over 43 on the front nine, Belcher, who shared 24th place at the Regional, regrouped and fired a 1-over-par 36 on the back to wrap up the day at 79. Classmate Laura Nochta finished the tournament with a share of 46th position with a 16-over total of 229 (75-74-80). The Hoosiers were part of the morning session, and individual placements will be determined by the finish of the teams in the afternoon.
Individually, Jacqui Concolino of Vanderbilt took home medalist honors with a tournament total of 208 (67-68-73).
The top eight teams advance to the NCAA Finals, which will be held in Daytona Beach, Fla., on May 22-25. Joining the Hoosiers will be USC, who won the Central Regional with a total of 869 (283-288-298), Georgia at 880 (292-296-292), TCU, who finished with a total of 883 (289-291-303), Vanderbilt at 886 (290-295-301), Arizona, who wrapped up the Regional in sixth place with a total of 887 (297-295-295), Tennessee with a team total of 893 (294-293-306) and Michigan State in eighth at 901 (295-295-311).
Players Mentioned
