May 1, 2006

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' women's golf team earned an at-large selection to the NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship on Monday. The NCAA Championships are hosted by Oglethorpe University and will be played at the El Campeon Golf Course at the Mission Inn Golf & Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida on May 9-12.

The Cowgirls received the at-large bid from the NCAA due to their runner-up finish in the ASC Conference Tournament. HSU finished 11 strokes behind conference champion Mary Hardin-Baylor. The Cowgirls had rounds of, 345, 332, to finish at a two-round total of 677. UMHB also received a bid for the NCAA Championship.

Junior Kristi Martin led the Cowgirls earning top medalist honors in the ASC Tournament. Firing rounds of, 78, 77, Martin had a two-day total of 155 to win the tournament by two strokes. HSU's Andra Boxberger, Megan Bennett and Chandra Hayes all finished in the top 10 to earn All-ASC honors.

The Cowgirls impressive spring was highlighted when they captured first place at the Southwestern Invitational which was played on April 10, 11. Martin also had a second place finish in Georgetown, Texas.

HSU has been to seven NCAA Championships in the school history. Their last appearance was in 2004. Martin, Hayes, Bennett, and Boxberger, which were all freshman, were a part of the team that was the youngest team ever to compete at the NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship. HSU finished 10th which was played at Green Lake, Wisconsin.