May 10, 2003

LINCOLN, Neb. - The final round of the women's golf NCAA Central Regional was played today at the par 71, 6,033-yard Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb. The Baylor women's golf team improved two places in the team standings, but it was not enough to advance to the NCAA Championships. With a team total of 897, California won the team title. Wisconsin's Katie Connelly was the individual medallist carding scores of 71-70-76=217.

The Bears carded a 322 in the final round to bring their three-round total to 944 (314-308-322). Arkansas also recorded a team total of 944 as the two squads tied for 15th place in the 21-team event. The teams earning bids to the finals included California (897), Kent State (917), Texas (919), Purdue (926), Nebraska (928), Wisconsin (930), Florida (931) and Tulsa (934).

Senior Melanie Hagewood continued to improve throughout the tournament, finishing her career with a 74 bringing her three-round total to 228 (78-76-74). She tied for 17th place. After carding an opening-round 73, senior Hanna-Sofia Svenningsson slipped in the last two rounds. Her final round score was an 81. She tied for 47th-place with a tournament total of 238 (73-84-81). Junior Kelli McKandless tied for 54th-place. She also turned in an 81 in the final round to finish one stroke behind Svenningsson with a 239 (80-78-81). Freshman Josefin Svenningsson carded an 86 in round three. With a final total of 247 (83-78-86), she tied for 84th. Junior Michaelyn Morgan struggled in the closing round. She finished the tournament with a round of 91 to bring her total to 256 (88-76-91). She tied for 91st place.

A fourth-straight regional bid was a fitting end to the 2002-03 season as it was one of the most successful in Baylor women's golf history. The Bears won a school record three fall tournaments and added another team victory in the spring.