February 27, 2000

Release: Upon Receipt

PERRI HOLDS ON FOR SUNTRUST LADY GATOR TITLE

GAINESVILLE, Florida -- Furman sophomore Jennifer Perri carded a final-round 77 Sunday at the SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational, to hold on to medalist honors by one stroke with a three-day 218 total. The victory is Perri's first outright collegiate title; she tied for medalist honors at the 1999 NCAA East Regional.

With the victory, Perri becomes the second consecutive Furman player to win the Lady Gator Title. Lindsay Smith, who currently plays on the Future's Tour, won the Lady Gator last season, becoming the first Lady Paladin to do so since 1976, when Betsy King took medalist honors. Perri fired 69-72 in the first two rounds and took a firve-stroke lead into the final day. South Carolina' s Kristy McPherson fired a final-round 73 on Sunday to finish with a 219 total, one stroke back of Perri's pace.

The Furman team fired a final-round 310 to slip from third into fifth, with a three-round 925 tally. In addition to Perri's 77, the Lady Paladins counted a 76 by Cimmie Shahan, a 78 by Stacey Burnett, and a 79 by Brandi Jackeson. Tara Schultz's 80 was Furman's non-counter on the day, while Dara Broadus, playing as an individual, carded a 91 to finish tied for 71st.

Furman Results

1st Jennifer Perri 69-72-77=218

21st Stacey Burnett 78-76-78=232

37th Cimmie Shahan 84-78-76=238

49th Tara Schultz 81-79-80=240

55th Brandi Jackson 86-77-79=242

71st Dara Broadus, Ind. 79-80-91=250