October 15, 2005

Maria Laraisse (Jr., Agadir, Morocco) had rounds of 78, 78, and 79 for a total of 235 to tie for 3rd at the 4th annual WWU Women's Golf Invitational at the Bellingham Golf and Country Club. The nine-team field was full of top-notch competition, including host WWU, ranked No. 3 in the latest Golfstat/NCAA Division II national rankings and Western New Mexico, ranked No. 9.

Saints head coach Bob Grisham was impressed with Maria’s consistent level of play despite difficult weather conditions, “Maria maintained consistency into the second day as she posted great scores each of the three rounds, which is extremely impressive considering the harsh elements they were forced to endure.”

Stacie Henden (So., Allyn, WA) hit for a total of 251 to place 22nd, and Bridgette Kennedy (So., Olympia, WA) recorded a 264 over the two-day tournament to place 33rd.

After rounding out the top five with a first-round score of 336, the Saint women had a 21 stroke drop off in the second-round with a score of 357. SMU came back and shot a final-round 347 to finish with a total of 1040, good enough for seventh place.

Western Washington University's Katja Trygg, a 2004-05 first-team All-American who entered the tourney ranked No.2 nationally with a 72.5 scoring average, took medalist honors for the third straight year. The nationally ranked Vikings placed first for the fourth consecutive time with a final score of 916; 53 strokes better than runner-up Western New Mexico, who recorded a 969 final score.

Next for the Saints is a trip to Seaside, CA on October 23-25 to compete in the Cal State University-Monterey Bay Otter Invitational to be held at Blackhorse Golf Club.