Cougars Finish in 9th place

SAMMAMISH, Wash. (Oct. 10) -- Despite the poor conditions, strong outings from several Cougars allowed BYU to finish ninth, 315-298-307--920 +56, in the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational.

The annual three-day event, hosted by Washington, was played at the par 72, 6,127-yard Sahalee Country Club. No. 3 USC, 296-291-295--882 +18, took first among the 16-team pool and was followed by No. 4 Arizona State, 301-295-295--891 +27.

"We got off to a rough start, but the character of the team came through and they fought hard to the last hole," BYU head coach Sue Nyhus said. "We have a bright future looking toward this season."

The Cougars finished highest among Mountain West Conference teams, ending one stroke in front of UNLV, 312-302-307--921 +57, and six strokes ahead of No. 11 New Mexico 323-297-306--926 +62.

BYU had its best outing during the second round where the team finished 10-over-par. After the second round the Cougars sat in ninth place and held onto their position through the final round.

Juli Erekson led the Cougars through the tournament where she finished 76-75-76--227. During the final round Erekson struggled through the back nine but ended the day 4-over-par, after shooting three birdies on the front nine.

Natalia Jimenez ended the Invitational one stroke behind Erekson, 80-72-76--228 +12. She snagged the lowest round of the tournament for the Cougars during the second round shooting an even-par 72.

Freshman Sara Romero struggled during the first two rounds but led BYU during the final round with a 3-over-par performance.

The Cougars' fall schedule will continue when they travel to Las Vegas to play in the Las Vegas Collegiate Showdown Oct. 29-31.

Pl 	Team			Rd1	Rd2	Rd3	Final	to Par
1  	Southern California	296	291	295	882	+18
2 	Arizona State		301	295	295	891	+27
3 	Oregon			307 	290 	303 	900	+36
4 	Arizona			305 	296 	301 	902	+38
5 	California		305 	297 	301 	903	+39
6 	Pepperdine		310 	297 	300 	907	+43
7 	Stanford		304 	302 	304 	910	+46
8 	San Francisco		316 	295 	304 	915	+51
9 	Brigham Young Univ.	315 	298 	307 	920	+56
10 	UNLV			312 	302 	307 	921	+57
11 	Washington State 	318 	304 	302 	924	+60
T12 	New Mexico		323 	297 	306 	926	+62
T12 	Washington		314 	301 	311 	926	+62
14 	Oregon State 		327 	307 	314 	948	+84
15 	Long Beach State	328 	306 	315 	949	+85
16 	Penn State 		331 	312 	320 	963	+99
Pl.	Name			Rd1	Rd2	Rd3	Final	to Par
T20  	Juli Erekson 		76 	75 	76 	227 	+11
T25  	Natalia Jimenez 	80 	72 	76 	228 	+12
T36  	Daphne Vines 		77 	73 	81 	231 	+15
T63  	Hannah Summerhays 	82 	78 	80 	240 	+24
T66  	Sara Romero 		84 	82 	75 	241 	+25