March 16, 2000

Tampa, Fla. – Notre Dame sophomore Kristin McMurtrie fired an opening-round 76 to rank among the early leaders while the Irish women’s golf team jumped into contention for a top finish with a 320 four-player score Thursday at the 14th annual Snowbird Intercollegiate, which again is beinh held at the par-72, 5,940-yard Pebblecreek Golf and Country Club.

McMurtrie’s 76 places her in nine-way tie for fifth in the 114-player field, heading into Friday’s second and final round. The Irish are tied with Southern Illinois and stand just seven shots out of second place in the 20-team field, with host team Northern Illinois checking in at 12th with a 329.

Juniors Mary Klein and Danielle Villarosa each carded 80 for the Irish while their classmate Shane Smith added an 84. Freshman Priscilla Ro rounded out the Irish starting five with an 85.

Three Notre Dame players competed as individual entrants, with junior Becca Schloss and sophomore Lauren Fuchs both shooting 81 while freshman Terri Taibl posted a 90.

Arkansas State (305) leads the team competition, followed by Iowa State and Sam Houston State (both at 311). The Irish stand just two strokes behind Illinois and Maryland (318) and three behind Eastern Kentucky (317).

TEAM STANDINGS: 1. Arkansas State 305, 2. Iowa State 311, Sam Houston State 311, 4. North Texas 312, 5. Eastern Kentucky 317, 6. Illinois 318, Maryland 318, 8. Notre Dame 320, Southern Illinois 320, 10. Elon 325, 11. Bradley 328, 12. Northern Iowa 329, Northern Illinois 329, 14. Florida Southern 331, 15. Gardner-Webb 333, 16. Longwood 336, 17. Eastern Michigan 338, 18. Illinois Wesleyan 365, 19. Logan College 367, 20. Bellarmine 372.

TOP INDIVIDUALS (of 114): 1. Laura Wells (ISU) 73, Nina Rels (NT) 73, 3. Leigh Ann Jones (ASU) 74, 4. Vicky Matkovich (LONG) 75, 5. Kristin McMurtrie (ND) 76, Melissa Holland (ASU) 76, Jaclyn Biro (EKU) 76, Laurin Kanda (ILL) 76, Heather Elenbaus (ISU) 76, Jennie Bickel (NIOWA) 76, Melissa Mason (NT) 76, Wenda Gray (SHS) 76, Vicky Resnick (SHS) 76.

OTHER ND SCORES: Mary Klein 80, Danielle Villaroas 80, Lauren Fuchs (ind.) 81, Becca Schloss (ind.) 81, Shane Smith 84, Priscilla Ro 85, Terri Taibl 90.