February 27, 1999

DALLAS-FORT WORTH AIRPORT, Texas The Notre dame women’s golf team stands in 11th place after first-day action of the Midwest Classic, being held at the Hyatt Bear Creek Golf Course.

The Irish totaled a first-round score of 353 on the par-72, 5,838-yard course and head into Sunday’s final round 10 strokes behind Illinois State and 11 back of Ohio University.

Three Irish golfers posted team-best rounds of 87 on Saturday, including junior Beth Cooper, sophomore Shane Smith and sophomore Becca Schloss (who is competing as an individual entrant).

Junior captain Andrea Klee (89) and freshman Kristin McMurtrie (90) also counted to the team score while sophomore Mary Klein suffered through an uncharacteristic round of 99 (more than 17 strokes above her career average of 81.91).

Tournament co-host Minnesota leads the 13-team event following a first-round score of 316, followed by Penn State (322), co-host Northwestern (325) and Wisconsin (325).

Illinois State’s Suzanne Walker (70) holds a five shot lead on Andrea Walker of Southern Illinois (75) in the race for medalist honors.

TEAM STANDINGS (18 of 36 holes): 1. Minnesota 316; 2. Penn State 322; 3. Northwestern 325; Wisconsin 325; 5. Southern Illinois 326; 6. Kent 334; 7. Michigan 336; 8. Michigan State 338; 9. Ohio 342; 10. Illinois State 343; 11. Notre Dame 353; 12. Illinois 356; 13. Northern Illinois 367.

TOP INDIVIDUALS (of 74): 1. Suzanne Walker (ISU) 70; 2. Andrea Walker (SIU) 75; 3. Melanie Lepp (MINN) 76; Laura Hammond (PSU) 76; 5. Patty Fronha (WIS) 77; Michelle Ballou (MINN) 77; 7. Emily Gilley (NW) 78; Katie Bakken (MINN, indiv.) 78; 9. Leigh Ann Griffin (KENT) 79.

NOTRE DAME SCORES: 43. Beth Cooper 87; 43. Shane Smith 87; Becca Schloss (indiv.) 87; 52. Andrea Klee 89; 56. Kristin McMurtrie 90; 73. Mary Klein 99.