May 20, 2005

Sunriver, Ore. -

NCAA Championships Final Team Results in PDF Format
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NCAA Championships Final Individual Results in PDF Format
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The fourth-ranked Pepperdine women's golf team shot a final-round 10-over par 294 to finish in fourth place at the 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships that concluded Friday at the Meadows Course at the Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon.

The Waves totaled a 72-hole score of 43-over par 1,179 and finished nine shots behind Duke, which won its third national title with a score of 34-over par 1,170. UCLA, the 2004 national champion, finished second at 39-over par 1,175 followed by Auburn (1,176), Pepperdine and California (1,180).

The Waves finished in the Top 5 for the third time in school history and registered their fifth Top 10 showing in six trips to the national championships. Pepperdine's best-ever finish came in 2003 when it placed second. The Waves finished fifth in 1999, eighth in 2000 and tied for ninth in 2002.

"I am extremely proud of the way our team played and competed this week," head coach Laurie Gibbs said. "We were in contention all four days while playing under tough weather conditions and were in first place after the second round.

"We received contributions from our entire line-up throughout the tournament and were one of just three teams to shoot under 300 all four rounds, and it took a great third round by Duke to win," Gibbs added.

Pepperdine shot rounds of 291-295-299-294 to join Auburn and California in posting four rounds in the 290s.

Duke sophomore Anna Grezebien claimed individual medalist honors with a 2-over par score of 286 to edge Virginia's Leah Wigger by one shot. UCLA's Amie Cochran and Duke's Brittany Lang tied for third at 4-over par 288 and Auburn's Nicole Hage placed fifth at 5-over par 289.

Pepperdine junior All-American Carolina Llano and California's Claire Dury tied for sixth with 6-over par totals of 290. Llano carded rounds of 69-77-72-72.

Freshman Leanne Bowditch turned in an impressive first performance at the national championships as she shot rounds of 72-77-73-73 for a 15-over par 299 and tied for 39th.

Fellow freshman Marina Choi (301) tied for 53rd while senior Rachel Kyono and sophomore Eileen Vargas tied for 55th with scores of 302.

"Three of our five players were competing in their first NCAA Championships and four of the them will be returning next year," Gibbs said. "I am excited about the future and next season and am looking forward to once again competing for a national championship."