April 29, 2007
EAST LANSING, MI.- The Orange and Blue women's golf team claimed sixth place at 2007 Big Ten Championships at the par-72, 6,237-yard Forest Akers West Golf Course hosted by Michigan State University. Illinois fired a 307 during the final round Sunday to narrowly edge-out the University of Michigan by one stroke for sixth place.
The Orange and Blue's 72-hole score of 1254 (320-314-313-307), places them third on the Illini's all-time lowest 72-hole tournament record list, also accomplishing the team's goal of a top-six finish at Big Ten's, set earlier this year.
Head coach Renee Slone was pleased with how the team wrapped-up the season at the tournament.
"We finished in the top-six, and that was our goal all along," said Slone. "The girls really came back today and played very well."
The Illini were led by senior captain Meghan Naik, who had a tremendous showing at the tournament (81-74-75-77=307) to place her 11th. The Normal, Ill. native was limited to only three spring tournaments before the weekend, due to recovery from a hairline fracture in her foot. Naik's round of 74 on Friday bested her previous spring season-low of 81.
"Meghan played three tremendous rounds," said Slone. "This being her final collegiate tournament, and coming back from her injury, was really a great way for her to close-out her college career at Illinois."
Following Naik were juniors Casey Burden (80-80-77-76=313) tied for 21st and Kristine Cook (79-81-82-77=319) tied for 37th. Junior Seul Ki Park followed closely, tied for 42nd (83-79-81-78=321), and junior Stephanie Mory tied for 44th (80-84-81-77=322). Fellow junior Kristin Kallergis rounded out play in tied for 64th (90-93-80-79=342), respectively.
Host Michigan State (1188) took home the tournament crown, followed by Purdue (1201) and Northwestern (1220) in third, respectively.
Slone and the team already have their sights set on next year, and on continuing to set the stage for the future of Illinois golf.
"We have a full line-up returning besides Meghan," said Slone. "The girls are happy that we reached our goal. Hopefully next season, we'll be able to set that goal much higher."
Team Results
1 Michigan State 300-300-290-298=1188
2 Purdue 309-308-296-288=1201
3 Northwestern 313-307-301-299=1220
4 Ohio State 313-309-302-303=1227
5 Indiana 311-315-304-314=1244
6 Illinois 320-314-313-307=1254
7 Michigan 319-317-307-312=1255
8 Iowa 319-323-307-308=1257
9 Wisconsin 317-322-322-311=1272
10 Penn State 327-321-311-316=1275
11 Minnesota 322-326-320-316=1284
Illinois Results
11 Meghan Naik 81-74-75-77=307
T21 Casey Burden 80-80-77-76=313
T37 Kristine Cook 79-81-82-77=319
T42 Seul Ki Park 83-79-81-78=321
T44 Stephanie Mory 80-84-81-77=322
T64 Kristin Kallergis 90-93-80-79=342
