Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Lady Puerto Rico Classic
Nochta Takes Individual Title at Lady Puerto Rico Classic
2/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Feb. 10, 2009
Lady Puerto Rico Classic-Round 3 Results 
RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico - Junior Laura Nochta earned a share of the individual title with a final-round 73, and the Hoosiers went on to finish 14th at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic at the Coco Beach Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
"That is a great win in a great field," said head coach Clint Wallman. "Laura was rock steady today. She was facing a rainy, windy day again but closed out strong with a birdie on the final hole. This is just a glimpse of what she is capable of accomplishing."
The Hoosiers finished the three-round tournament with their best showing as four of five players posted scores under 80 and the team tallied a 308. Indiana was just four strokes away from a top-10 finish with a tournament total of 937 (318-311-308). Host Purdue won the tournament at 888 (304-288-296), followed by Tennessee (312-300-297=909), Georgia (302-300-308=910), NC State (310-300-300=910) and TCU (302-301-313=916).
Nochta's 73 tied her for the low round of the day with six other golfers. Her three-round total of 219 (72-74-73) gave her a share of the individual tournament title along with Purdue's Maria Hernandez, the defending Big Ten champion.
"Laura is very excited and now she has tangible proof that she can compete with the best," Wallman said. "There were a lot of great players in this field and to come away with a victory is huge. It shows that if you put in the work and effort, good things can happen."
Junior Anita Gahir followed by yesterday's 77 with another today to finish tied for 47th with a 237 (83-77-77). Junior Kellye Belcher posted her second-straight round in the 70s with a 79 on Tuesday and tied for 56th with a 239 (83-77-79).
Senior Amber Lindgren broke 80 for the first time in the tournament with a 79 today and tied for 69th with a three-round score of 242 (80-83-79). Sophomore Cecilia Orevik came home with an 84 in round three and placed 87th with a 256 (84-88-84).
"Everyone improved over the course of the tournament and that comes with getting out and playing," Wallman said. "This was a tough course for our first tournament of the spring and they all shook the rust off as play went on. Now we will use the next three weeks to get ready for Hawai'i."
Indiana does not return to competition until March 16-18 as it travels to Hawai'i for the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational.
Players Mentioned
