Cougars in Third at MWC Championship

BEND -- BYU's women's golf team got off to a good start and is in third place after the first round of the Mountain West Conference Championship on Thursday.

After a four-hour snow delay and a change of venue due to weather conditions, UNLV leads after the first round of the 2003 Mountain West Conference Women's Golf Championship played at Awbrey Glen Golf Club (Par 72/6,110) in Bend, Ore. The Rebels have a four-shot lead over second place Colorado State who finished with an 18-hole total of 309. BYU is currently third at 314, followed by New Mexico (316), San Diego State (321) and Wyoming (335).

Needing a good showing to qualify for the NCAA West Regional, the Cougars stepped up their play with a solid first round. BYU was led by true freshman Symantha Mendenhall and Danielle Von Arnim. Both finished the day five-over and tied for sixth place. All five Cougars are among the top 20 individuals with sophomores Margaret Gibby and Natalie Newren tied for 17th at eigth-over. Another true freshman Catalina Guacaneme is one shot back at nine-over par and in 19th place.

The Cougars hold a two shot lead over 12th-ranked and three-time defending MWC Champions New Mexico. The Cougars, who have finished fourth at the MWC Championship the past two years trail second-place Colorado State by just five shots.

The second round begins Friday morning and the final round will be held Saturday.

FIRST ROUND SCORES

Fin. Top 20 Teams Scores

1 UNLV 305

2 Colorado State Univ. 309

3 Brigham Young Univ. 314

4 New Mexico, U. of 316

5 San Diego State Univ 321

6 Wyoming, U. of 335

Fin. Top 20 Players School Scores

1 Sunny Oh UNLV 38- 35 73

2 Katrina Leckovic New Mexico 37- 37 74

3 Lynette Duran Col. St. 36- 40 76

Sandy Kim S.Diego St 36- 40 76

Hwanhee Lee UNLV 39- 37 76

6 Mayumi Motoyama Col. St. 38- 39 77

Symantha Mendenhall BYU 37- 40 77

Danielle von Arnim BYU 39- 38 77

Stephanie Linnell Col. St. 40- 37 77

10 Erin Borcherts UNLV 42- 36 78

Christine Hentzner UNLV 38- 40 78

12 Kailin Downs New Mexico 40- 39 79

Shayna Miyajima S.Diego St 41- 38 79

Shala Hanson Wyoming 39- 40 79

Trisha Quick Col. St. 39- 40 79

Elena Kurokawa UNLV 38- 41 79

17 Margaret Gibby BYU 37- 43 80

Natalie Newren BYU 40- 40 80

19 Catalina Guacaneme BYU 40- 41 81

Kellyn Newman New Mexico 41- 40 81