May 10, 2003

Complete Results

Lincoln, Neb. - By shooting a combined score of 222 (73-72-77), junior Christine Boucher tied for fifth at the 2003 NCAA Women's Central Regional Golf Championships. Boucher's solid finish qualified her for the NCAA Championship Finals in West Lafayette, Ind., May 20-23. She is the first woman golfer in Kansas State history to qualify for the finals.

"It is just an awesome accomplishment for Christine," head coach Kristi Knight said. "It will be fun and a great experience for her. "

As a team, the Wildcats came up two strokes shy of qualifying for the NCAA finals. K-State finished two strokes behind Tulsa, who took the eighth and final qualifying position. Fighting off a heavy mist throughout the day, K-State shot a combined score of 323 in the final round to tie for 10th place. The Wildcats shot rounds of 313-300-323-936 to tie with Oklahoma and grab a school-best finish at the regional tournament.

"It says a lot about this team to come in here as the number 18th seed and finish tied for 10th and just two strokes out of qualifying," Knight said. "It is disappointing right now, since we were so close, but we have come a long way as a team. I am proud of them."

California won the NCAA Central Regional by 20 strokes. The Golden Bears shot rounds of 292-292-313-897. Kent State placed second, followed by Texas. Wisconsin's Katie Connelly edged out Vikki Laing of California to grab the the individual title. Connelly carded scores of 71-70-76-217 to win by a stroke.

Senior Miranda Smith finished her college career in solid fashion. Smith moved up three spots from yesterday to tie for ninth, shooting rounds of 79-69-78-226. Junior Karen Quintelier shot 82-81-83-246 to tie for 81st. Sophomore Stephanie Limoges tied for 84th, shooting rounds of 83-79-85-247. Sophomore Sarah Heffel shot a 249 (79-80-90) to tie for 89th.

Boucher will compete in the NCAA Championship Finals, hosted by Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., May 20-23 at the Birch Boilermaker Golf Complex.

2003 NCAA Central Regional Women's Golf Championships
Firethorn Golf Club
Lincoln, Neb.
Par 71; 6,033 yards

Team Results (final)
1. 897 California; 2. 917 Kent State; 3. 919 Texas; 4. 926 Purdue; 5. 928 Nebraska; 6. 930 Wisconsin; 7. 931 Florida; 8. 934 Tulsa; 9. 935 Texas A&M; t10. 936 KANSAS STATE; Oklahoma; t12. 942 Missouri; New Mexico; TCU; t15. 944 Baylor; Arkansas; 17. 947 Michigan State; 18. 948 Tennessee; 19. 949 Indiana; 20. 1002 Yale; 21. 1078 Southern.

Top Five Individuals
1. 217 Katie Connelly, Wisconsin; 2. 218 Vikki Laing, California; 3. 219 Malinda Johnson, Wisconsin; 4. 221 Claire Dury, California; t5. 222 Christine Boucher, KSU; Sarah Sasse, NU.

Other K-State Individuals
t9. 226 Miranda Smith; t81. 246 Karen Quintelier; t84. 247 Stephanie Limoges; t89. 249 Sarah Heffel.