May 7, 2002

WACO, Texas - Baylor's women's golf squad will participate in its third consecutive NCAA championships next week as one of 21 schools assigned to play in the 2002 NCAA Women's Golf Championships Central Regional in East Lansing, Mich., the NCAA announced Monday.

Baylor is seeded 10th in the central regional, the school's highest ever seeding. Baylor has made previous trips to the NCAA regionals under head coach Sylvia Ferdon in 2000 and 2001.

Bears traveling to East Lansing for the tournament include seniors Tara Bateman and Nicole Johnson, juniors Melanie Hagewood and Hanna-Sofia Svenningsson, and sophomore Kelli McKandless.

The Bears will compete May 9-11 at the Forest Akers Golf Course in East Lansing. In addition to Baylor and host Michigan State, the field for the 2002 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships Central Regional includes: Bradley, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas State, Kent State, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, St. Francis, TCU, Texas, Tulsa, UNC-Wilmington and Wisconsin.

Tournament play will begin at 8 a.m. each day beginning Thursday May 9.

The top eight schools from each of three regions will advance to the championship finals to be held May 21-24 at the Washington National Golf Club in Auburn, Wash.