April 22, 2003

JACKSON NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR; FURMAN TAKES SECOND AT SOCON

WAYNESVILLE, North Carolina -- Senior Brandi Jackson was named league player of the year and Jackson and Leigh Turner each finished in the top five, but Furman was unable to claim its 10th consecutive Southern Conference Women’s Golf Title Tuesday at the Waynesville Golf and Country Club.

The host Catamounts of Western Carolina rode the coattails of league frshman of the year Brandy Anderson, carding a three round 894 to outplay the Lady Paladins by six strokes and snap Furman’s nine year hold on the league title. Anderson, meanwhile, fired rounds of 71-69-72 to take medalist honors and finish five strokes ahead of defending SoCon Champion Jackson’s second place effort.

Furman’s Leigh Turner finished third with a three-round 221 and was also named to the All-Southern Conference team. Other Furman finishes included a ninth-place 228 by freshman Connor Atkinson, a 15th-place 235 by Cimmie Shahan, and a 26th-place 243 for Tiarna Harman.

Furman’s next stop will be the NCAA Regionals, May 8-10. The Catamounts will also earn a bid to the NCAA Regionals by virtue of the Southern Conference’s automatic bid.The East Regionals will be held at Wake Forest University, but neither Furman nor Western Carolina is guaranteed a berth in the East.

Furman Results
2nd Furman 304-294-302=900
2nd Brandi Jackson 74-69-74=217
3rd Leigh Turner 75-72-74=221
8th Connor Atkinson 76-75-77=228
18th Cimmie Shahan 79-78-78=235
34th Tiarna Harman 81-85-77=243