March 18, 2000

Notre Dame sophomore Kristin McMurtie posted a career-best round of one-over 73 en route to the best finish of her career, tying for third in a 114-player field Friday at the 14th annual Snowbird Intercollegiate, at the par-72, 5,940-yard Pebblecreek Golf and Country Club.

Notre Dame maintained its eighth-place position in the 20-team event, improving to a second-round 313 for a 633 total, just three shots behind seventh-place Maryland.

McMurtrie finished with a two-round total of 149, ranking behind only medalist Laura Wells of Iowa State (73-69)and Nina Rels of North Texas (73-74).

The Irish also received a second-round 76 from junior Mary Klein-giving her a 156 total-while her classmate Shane Smith chipped in an 81 (for a 165 total). Freshman Priscilla Ro addedd an 83 to the play-five, count-four format (she totaled 168), with junior Danielle Villarosa rounding out the starting contingent with an 85 for a 165 total.

Three Notre Dame players posted solid scores as individual entrants: junior Becca Schloss (81-82/163), sophomore Lauren Fuchs (81-77/158) and freshman Terri Taibl (90-85/175).

Arkansas State (305-307) won the team competition, edging Iowa State (311-303) by two strokes.

TEAM STANDINGS: 1. Arkansas State 305-307/612,

2. Iowa State 311-303/614,

3. North Texas 312-305/617, Sam Houston State 311-306/617,

5. Illinois 318-309/627,

Southern Illinois 320-307/627, 7. Maryland 318-312/630,

8. Notre Dame 320-313/633,

9. Eastern Kentucky 317-318/635,

10. Eastern Kentucky 317-318/635, 11. Northern Iowa 329-309/638,

12. Bradley 328-315/643,

13. Elon 325-315/640,

14. Longwood 336-315/651,

15. Florida Southern 331-325/656,

16. Eastern Michigan 338-320/658,

17. Gardner-Webb 333-342/675,

18. Illinois Wesleyan 365-341/705,

19. Logan College 367-351/718,

20. Bellarmine 372-356/728.

TOP INDIVIDUALS (of 114) 1. Laura Wells (ISU) 73-69/142,

2. Nina Rels (NT) 73-74/147,

3. Kristin McMurtrie (ND) 76-73/149, Leigh Ann Jones (ASU) 74-75/149,

Jennie Bickel (NIOWA) 76-73/149.

OTHER ND SCORES: Mary Klein 80-76/156, Lauren Fuchs (ind.) 80-77//158, Becca Schloss 81-82/163, Danielle Villarosa 80-85/165, Shane Smith 84-81/165, Priscilla Ro 85-83/168, Terri Taibl 90-85/175.