May 12, 2001

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Kansas State women's golf team finished in a tie for 15th place at its first-ever NCAA Regional appearance after being one of seven teams forced to withdraw from competition because of torrential downpour and lightning Saturday.

After the second weather-related delay of the day at the Finley Golf Course, officials determined the tournament was complete and the seven teams not finished would tie for 15th place. The top 12 teams after the first two rounds are given the early tee times due to the threat of bad weather.

Officials also determined that the individuals who had not completed their final round would tie for 79th place. All five of Kansas State's golfers did not completed their final round.

Sophomore Miranda Smith was in a tie for 51st place after 36 holes. Freshman Christine Boucher was tied for 69th place, junior Edie Murdoch was tied for 89th, senior Carrie Chambers was tied for 92nd and sophomore Elise Carpentier was in 100th place after 36 holes.

Duke, the No.1-ranked team in the nation by Golfstat, won the 21-team field with scores of 286-291-294--871. Second-ranked Auburn finished in second with a score of 879. Five of the top 10 teams in the country played at the par 72, 6,211-yard Finley Golf Course.

After setting the women's course record and tying the overall course record with an opening-round 65, Duke's Virada Nirapathpongporn won the individual title with scores of 65-73-71--209, while teammate Candy Hannemann placed second with rounds of 72-68-72--212.

The top eight teams and top two individuals advanced to the NCAA championship finals, which will be May 22-25 at the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.