Oct. 20, 2002
PALO ALTO, Calif. - University of Arizona women's golfer Erica Blasberg fired a three-under par 69 Sunday to claim individual medalist honors at the Stanford Women's Intercollegiate. It was her first career victory and Arizona's second individual win of the season.
Blasberg, a freshman from Corona, Calif., tallied a three-round total of 211 (-5) to win the event by five strokes over New Mexico State's Alena Sharp. After opening the event with a one-over 73, Blasberg played the final 36 holes at six-under par. She was the only player in the field of 93 to finish under par in each of the last two rounds.
Her efforts helped the top-ranked Wildcats to a fifth place finish in the 17-team field. The Cats carded a three-round total of 900 (+36) to finish 15 strokes behind tournament-winner California. Vanderbilt (887), Washington (890) and New Mexico (896) rounded out the top four places. It was also Arizona's third top-five finish in three events this season.
Also competing for the Wildcats were seniors Anne Lee and Julia Kraschinski, who tied for 30th place at 228 (+12), sophomore Miriam Kraschinski, who tied for 49th place at 234 (+18), and sophomore Mar Garcia, who tied for 66th place at 239 (+23).
Blasberg becomes the 17th Arizona player to win a collegiate tournament, and the second this season. Miriam Krachinski won the NCAA Preview on Sept. 17 in West Lafayette, Ind. It is Arizona's 59th individual victory since the 1977-78 season.
Arizona will next be in action on Nov.1-3 at the Auburn Tiger-Derby Invitational in Auburn, Ala.
Top Five Teams Top Five Individuals
1. California 885 (+21) 1.Erica Blasberg, Arizona 73-69-69=211 (-5)
2. Vanderbilt 887 (+23) 2.Alena Sharp, New Mexico State 71-72-73=216 (E)
3. Washington 890 (+26) 3 Vicki Laing, California 71-72-76=219 (+3)
4. New Mexico 896 (+32) 4.Kailin Downs, New Mexico 75-72-73=220 (+4)
5. ARIZONA 900 (+36) Courtney Wood, Vanderbilt 71-75-74=220 (+4)
Louise Friberg, Washington 72-73-75=220 (+4)
Katrina Leckovic, New Mexico 78-70-72=220 (+4)
Sarah Jacobs, Vanderbilt 74-77-69=220 (+4)
Ria Quiazon, California 75-75-70=220 (+4)
Arizona Finishers
1. Erica Blasberg 73-69-69=211 (-5)
T30. Anne Lee 77-78-73=228 (+12)
T30. Julia Kraschinski 78-77-73=228 (+12)
T49. Miriam Kraschinski 80-77-77=234 (+18)
T66. Mar Garcia 79-80-80=239 (+23)
