Sept. 21, 2004

MACOMB, Ill. - Saint Louis University's first women's golf tournament is in the books as the inaugural Billiken team finished fifth in the Western Illinois Westerwinds Classic this afternoon at Harry Mussatto Golf Course. Freshman Jennifer Madras (Chesterfield, Mo./Rosati-Kain) finished 11th among the tournament's 33 golfers to lead the Billikens.

"We were both excited and nervous in the first round of the tournament, but the players settled down on Tuesday," head coach Ed Schwent said. "Everyone is happy to have this first one behind us, and we can turn toward making steady progress the rest of the season."

Madras was off to a quick start on Monday, firing an 81 to hold fourth place in the individual standings. Struggling a little on Tuesday, she shot 90 to fall back to 11th. Freshman Keely Fitzgerald (Urbandale, Iowa/Urbandale) was the most consistent player for the Billikens, putting up 89 each day to finish tied for 19th place. Freshmen Kaela Burke (Omaha, Neb./Millard North) posted rounds of 96 and 106 to finish 30th. Freshman Lainey Trahan (Ponchatoula, La./St. Thomas Aquinas) rounded out the team scoring in 32nd place with rounds of 114 and 111. Junior Amber Dodman (Anaheim, Calif./ACS of Cobham, England) finished 33rd after shooting 132 and 125 for the tournament.

Overall, Northern Illinois won the tournament with a score of 644 (324-320) as four players finished in the tournament's top 10. UNI's Lisa Bailey picked up individual medalist honors as she shot 73 and 79 to finish one stroke ahead of Western Illinois' Janelle Bush.

The Billikens return to Macomb for a pair of head-to-head rounds with Western Illinois and Bradley on Sat., Sept. 25.