March 23, 1998

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's golf team stands in 13th place in a strong field of 15 after one day of competition at the River Wilderness Invitational, hosted by South Florida in Tampa. The Spartans shot a 36-hole 331-339=670, their highest two-round total of the 1997-98 season.

Freshman Kasey Gant (Fort Wayne, Ind.) leads the Spartans entering tomorrowis final 18 holes with her 80-80=160, good for 34th place individually. Junior Ellen Bishop (Columbia City, Ind.), who led Michigan State in its last tournament, continued her strong play with an opening-round 78, but shot an 88 on the second 18 to put her in a tie for 52nd place.

The final 18 holes will be played tomorrow on the River Wilderness Country Club.

TEAM STANDINGS                               MSU INDIVIDUALS
 1. Mississippi          310-300=610         T34. Kasey Gant         80-80=160
 2. Indiana              307-305=612         T52. Ellen Bishop       78-88=166
 3. Miami                308-311=619          62. Kellie Dennis      85-84=169
 3. Purdue               316-305=621         T69. April Holly        88-87=175
 5. South Alabama        307-316=623         T71. Meggan Schumaker   88-89=177
 6. South Florida        309-316=625         
 7. Iowa                 317-312=629
 8. Arkansas-Little Rock 319-323=642
    Kentucky             317-325=642
10. Tulane               327-317=644
11. Southern Mississippi 328-329=657
12. Michigan             340-325=665
13. MICHIGAN STATE       331-339=670
14. Florida Atlantic     339-341=680
15. Lamar                354-341=695