March 9, 2005

PINEHURST, N.C. - Sophomore Kate Stepanek finished with a 54-hole total of 244 to lead the University of Maryland to a 17th-place finish Tuesday at the Pinehurst Challenge women's golf tournament.

The event was played at Pinehurst's difficult number-8 course and was hosted by the College of Charleston.

Stepanek had rounds of 82-80-82 to tie for 51st in a large field. The sophomore leads Maryland in scoring average through the 2004-05 season.

Also for Maryland, Kelly Calkin was 63rd at 82-80-86--248, while Jessica Reno finished one shot behind. Her opening-round 75 was the best of the tournament for the Terps.

Kelly MacWhinnie finished at 252 for Maryland to place 75th, while Katie Trotter tied for 76th at 253.

In the team standings, Maryland scored a three-round total of 986 to place 17th. Maryland's best round as a team was an opening-day 324.

Washington State fired a team total of 918 to win the event by 21 strokes over UNC Wilmington. Individually, UNC Wilmington's Becky Berzonski and Michelle Jarman tied for first at 8-over-par 224.

Maryland next plays on March 28 and 29 at the Spider Spring Invitational in Bradenton, Fla.

TEAM STANDINGS
1. Washington State 918; 2. UNC Wilmington 939; 3. Oregon 945; 4. Mississippi State 946; T5. East Carolina and Louisville 951; 7. Georgia State 953; 8. Charleston 955; 9. Ole Miss 958; 10. Coastal Carolina 960; 11. Miami 961; 12. James Madison 969; 13. Oral Roberts 971; 14. UNC Greensboro 972; 15. Kentucky 974; 16. Penn State 983; 17. MARYLAND 986; 18. Western Carolina 1013.

MARYLAND SCORES
T51. Kate Stepanek 82-80-82--244; 63. Kelly Calkin 82-80-86--248; T64. Jessica Reno 75-84-90--249; 75. Kelly MacWhinnie 86-83-83--252; T76. Katie Trotter 85-84-84--253.