April 18, 2006

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 678-2444

GREENVILLE, N.C. - University of Memphis women's golfer Stacey Tate finished third in the Conference USA Championship at the Ironwood Country Club on Tuesday.

The junior, who was named the C-USA Golfer of the Year, shot a final round 1-over 73 to finish at 219 (74-72-73). Tate finished three strokes behind tournament medalist Lene Krog of East Carolina. Krog was named the conference Freshman of the Year and finished with a 216 (74-72-70). SMU Jennifer Ackerson finished second with a 217 (75-68-74).

Tate, who makes a strong case for an at-large bid as an individual in the NCAA Regionals, is the first Memphis player to finish in the conference top three since Meaghan Francella earned medalist honors in 2001. Tate is also only the second Lady Tiger to be honored as the C-USA Player of the Year. Kim Hunt earned the award in 1997.

The Lady Tigers finished sixth in the tournament with a 919 (310-304-305). Tournament host East Carolina added on to its day two lead and finished with a 10-stroke victory with an 887 (297-294-296). SMU finished second at 897 and Tulsa tied with UCF for third with a 902. UTEP finished 12 strokes ahead of Memphis for fifth with a 907.

Junior Kathryn O'Rourke shot the team's second best round on Tuesday with a 3-over 75 and finished tied for 24th with a 232 (77-80-75). Sophomore Dawn-Marie Conaty shot a trio of 78s to finish tied for 26th with a 234 (78-78-78). Freshman Rachel Larson finished 32nd with a 238 (83-76-79), and senior Bernie Rosero ended her collegiate career with a 242 (81-78-83) to place 36th.

The NCAA Regionals will take place on May 11-13 with the East Regional being hosted by Wake Forest at Bryan Park in Browns Summit, N.C. The NCAA East Regional is made up of 21 teams plus three individuals not on those teams.

C-USA Women's Championship
Dates: 04/16-04/18, 2006
Round: 3
Final Results
Par-Yardage: 72-6216

6    Memphis, Univ. of  310  304  305  919
3    Stacey Tate        74   72   73   219
T24  Kathryn O'Rourke   77   80   75   232
T26  Dawn-Marie Conaty  78   78   78   234
32   Rachel Larson      83   76   79   238
36   Bernie Rosero      81   78   83   242

All-Tournament Team
Lene Krog, East Carolina (medalist)
Jennifer Ackerson, SMU
Stacey Tate, Memphis
Jullianne Kim, UTEP
Cas Bridge, Tulsa

All-Conference USA First Team
Lene Krog, East Carolina
Stacey Tate, Memphis
Laura Cross, SMU
Lacey Jones, SMU
Michaela Cavener, Tulsa

All-Conference USA Second Team
Jennifer Ackerson, SMU
Kristina Rothengatte, SMU
Leisl Hasbrouck, Tulsa
Jullianne Kim, UTEP
Gerina Mendoza, UTEP

All-Conference USA Third Team
Heidi Helliesen, East Carolina
Kate Ackerson, SMU
Holly Boot, UCF
Ashley Grier, UCF
Kristy McLaughlin, UCF

Conference USA Freshman of the Year
Lene Krog, East Carolina

Conference USA Golfer of the Year
Stacey Tate, Memphis

Conference USA Coach of the Year
Todd Selders, SMU