Northwestern
Big Ten Championships
No. 33 'Cats Come in Third at Big Ten Championships
4/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 29, 2007
2007 Big Ten Women's Golf Championships Final Results
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EAST LANSING, Mich. -- For the second consecutive day, No. 33 Northwestern posted the third-best team score, shooting an 11-over 299 in the final round to hold their position from the beginning of the day and finish third at the Big Ten Championships.
Over the first three rounds, the Wildcats' scores lowered with each round played on Forest Akers West Golf Course. They continued the trend on Sunday, as their final-round 299 was their lowest round of the Championships.
Just like yesterday, the two teams in front of the 'Cats on the leaderboard were the only two teams to post better scores. In the end, Northwestern finished at 68-over 1220 (313-307-301-299), seven shots clear of fourth-place Ohio State and 19 shots behind second-place Purdue.
Host Michigan State claimed the Big Ten title with a 72-hole score of 36-over 1188.
Senior Alice Kim (Los Angeles, Calif./Brentwood) continued her solid play on the final day, making 16 pars en route to a 2-over 74 -- her third consecutive sub-75 round. The defending Big Ten medalist defended her title admirably, finishing in fifth place at 11-over 299 (78-73-74-74).
Michigan State's Rachel Meikle won medalist honors at this year's Championships, breaking the conference's 72-hole scoring record with a 4-under 284.
Senior Liliana Alvarez (Durango, Mexico/American School of Durango) posted the Wildcats' best final-round score, a 1-over 73, which propelled her to a seventh-place finish in her first Big Ten Championships. The Mexico native finished five shots behind Kim at 16-over 304 (78-78-75-73).
After the tournament was completed, Alvarez was honored as a second-team All-Big Ten selection. The senior was the second Wildcat to earn second-team honors in the past two years, as fellow senior Kim did so last year.
The Wildcats also got a top-20 finish from Jennifer Hong (Windermere, Fla./The First Academy). The sophomore shot a final-round 78 to finish at 24-over 312 (82-77-75-78), good for a tie for 18th in the individual race.
Close on Hong's heels was senior Heather Scholten (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian). The senior finished her last round at the Championships with a 4-over 76, ending the tournament in a tie for 26th at 26-over 314 (80-79-79-76).
Later in the day, Scholten, NU's team captain, would be chosen as Northwestern's Big Ten Sportsmanship honoree.
Junior Katie Trachok (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) matched Scholten's 4-over 76 to give the 'Cats their fourth score and finished the 72-hole tournament in a tie for 33rd at 30-over 318 (77-83-82-76).
Rounding out the scoring for the 'Cats was junior Brittany Johnston, who finished in 53rd after a final-round 79.
For tournament scores and additional championships information, visit Big Ten Women's Golf Championships or Michigan State Women's Golf Championship site.
Northwestern will learn its NCAA regional assignment at 3 p.m. Monday, April 30 (ncaasports.com) when the field is announced for the 26th Annual NCAA Championships. The NCAA Regional Championships are set for May 10, 11 and 12.
Players Mentioned
