Johnson leads Lady'Backs inTennessee

Jump to agate FAYETTEVILLE – Hot Springs, Ark., senior Gena Johnson fired a one-under 70 leading the 24th-ranked University of Arkansas to first place after round one of the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship in Knoxville, Tenn., Friday. Arkansas tied the second lowest round in school history Friday with a 289 paced by Johnson’s personal-best 70. Johnson carded four birdies on six, eight, 10 and 16, three of which came on par 3s in the second half of her round. She was one under on the back nine after starting the day on the 10th hole but an eight on the par five fourth hole slowed her down. “Gena played great,” said head coach Kelley Hester. “But I know she’s kicking herself for the fourth hole.” Johnson is currently tied for third place after the first round of play. El Dorado, Ark., junior Amanda McCurdy checked in with an even 71 and is tied for fifth while junior Courtney Mahon carded a two-over 73 and is tied for 13th overall. Redshirt freshman Stacy Lewis posted a plus-four 75 and is tied for 27th followed by senior Sarah Trew with an 82 to tie for 77. Freshman Ashley Medders, playing as an individual in her first collegiate event, turned in a first-day 82 as well. The Lady Razorbacks are holding their own against a tough 17-team field made up of both regional and Southeastern Conference opponents. Eighth-ranked Ohio State is second with a 293, followed by No. 35 Kent State, No. 25 Tulsa and No. 15 Tulane to round out the top five teams. Northwestern is sixth with a 299, followed by No. 20 Louisiana State and the Swedish Junior National Team at 302. Eleventh-ranked Purdue is ninth followed by No. 18 Michigan State at 303. Kentucky, ranked 98th, is 11th with a 307, while No. 21 Tennessee is 12th with a 309. Play continues Saturday and Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championship. Arkansas returns home hosting the Lady Razorback Invitational Oct. 17-19, at Pinnacle Country Club. For more information log on to www.ladybacks.com.
2004 Mercedes-Benz Collegiate ChampionshipKnoxville, TennesseeFriday-Sunday, Oct. 8-10, 2004Cherokee Country ClubPar 71, 7,100-yards

Place Team Score
1. ARKANSAS 289
2. Ohio State 293
3. Kent State 296
4. Tulsa 297
5. Tulane 298
6. Northwestern 299
T7. LSU 302
Swedish Junior National 302
9. Purdue 303
Michigan State 303
11. Kentucky 307
12. Tennessee 309
13. Virginia 311
14. Alabama 314
15. UNC-Wilmington 320
T16. James Madison 321
Penn State 321

Arkansas Individuals

T3 Gena Johnson 70
T5 Amanda McCurdy 71
T13 Courtney Mahon 73
T27 Stacy Lewis 75
T77 Sarah Trew 82
T77 Ashley Medders* 82

*Individual