May 4, 1997

Boilers Finish Sixth at Big Ten Championships

Blythe, Cashman Earn All-Conference Honors

EAST LANSING, Mich. - A bid for a top three finish went unrealized as the Purdue women's golf team placed sixth at the 1997 Big Ten Championship tournament in East Lansing, Mich. Purdue, which finished fourth at last year's conference tournament, was in fourth at the end of two rounds, fifth at the end of three, and finally settled in sixth place with a 72-hole score of 1,302. Ohio State took the crown with 1,246, followed by Indiana (1,257) and Penn State (1,283).

The strong performance of junior Colleen Cashman could not pull the Boilers into the top three. Cashman tied for seventh with a 317, improving 39 spots over her 1996 finish. She finished 12 strokes behind the medalist, Amy Langhals of champion Ohio State. Cashman's 317 is the fourth-lowest 72-hole score in school history.

Freshman Stacy Orschell was Purdue's only other top-20 finisher. The rookie tied for 18th with a 327. Sophomore Johanna Gollings was one stroke behind Orschell, tying her for 24th. Classmate Angie Blythe tied for 38th with a 333, while junior Heather Hasselberg tied for 56th with a 345. Freshman Kelly Beth Simmons came in at 62nd with a 354.

Despite the sixth-place finish, two Boilermakers were rewarded for their outstanding performances this season. Both Cashman and Blythe earned All-Big Ten honors, both for the first time in their careers. They are the sixth and seventh All-Big Ten selections in the 20-year history of Purdue women's golf. A total of 10 players received the honor.

Purdue's season is not over yet. Last week, the Boilers received an invitation to compete in the 1997 NCAA Women's Golf East Regional hosted by Illinois State. The tournament, which will send qualifying teams and individuals to the NCAA Championships, will be played in Normal, Ill., on May 8-10. Purdue, Ohio State and Indiana are the only Big Ten representatives.