Sept. 13, 1997

MSU Stands Second after Day One of Mary Fossum Invitational

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State freshman Kasey Gant (Fort Wayne, Ind.) fired a one-under-par 71 -- one shot off the school record -- in Saturday's opening round of the newly named Mary Fossum Invitational at Forest Akers West, leading MSU to a second-place team standing heading into tomorrow's final round.

Gant followed her morning 71 with a 75 in the afternoon (146) and MSU got solid contributions from the rest of its golfers, three of whom ejoined Gant in the top 15. Gant is three strokes ahead of the field on the individual leaderboard, while MSU trails Indiana by 14 strokes (609-623) and is 13 shots ahead of third-place Iowa.

The tournament is the debut for MSU head coach Stacy Slobodnik, who took over for Mary Fossum.

"This is the perfect start to a new era in Spartan Golf," Slobodnik said. "I know the team is just as excited as I am."

Slobodnik is experiencing success in her first tournament as a coach, and Gant's 71 came in her first-ever round as a collegian. As impressive as Gant was in the morning 18, MSU was even better in the afternoon as a team, firing a 307 after a morning 316.

"After the second round, I think the team realizes its potential," Slobodnik said. "As for Kasey, for her first tournament, this is something very special. Her potential as a player is unlimited."

Competition fineshes up with 18 holes tomorrow at Forest Akers West, beginning at 9 a.m. and finishing around 2 p.m.

TEAM STANDINGS (through two rounds)
1.  Indiana University  307  302    609
2.  Michigan State      316  307    623
3.  Iowa                324  312    636
4.  Notre Dame          320  323    643
5.  Bowling Green       327  324    651
6.  Michigan            326  330    656
7.  Ohio Univ.          334  324    658
8.  Toledo              337  331    668
9.  Tri-Stat Univ.      342  330    672
10. Franklin College    346  335    681
11. Xavier              352  331    683
12. Cincinnati          345  348    693
13. Ferris State        353  344    697
14. Indianapolis        356  366    722
15. Alma College        380  382    762
TOP 15 PLAYERS (through two rounds)
1.      Kasey Gant          Michigan State  71  75  146
2.      Erin Carney         Indiana         76  73  149
3.      M.C. Mullen         Iowa            76  74  150
4.      Jenny Gray          Indiana         75  76  151
T5.     Michelle Hatfield   Indiana         78  75  153
        Kate Kolesnik       Bowling Green   77  76  153
7.      Julee Sovesky       Ohio            76  79  155
8.      Theresa McDermott   Indiana         78  78  156
T9.     Sharon Park         Michigan        76  82  158
        Tracy Melby         Notre Dame      79  79  158
T11.    Melissa Beck        Xavier          82  77  159
        Meggan Schumaker    Michigan State  81  78  159
        Andrea Klee         Notre Dame      79  80  159
        April Holly         Michigan State  81  78  159
15.     Ellen Bishop        Michigan State  84  76  160
OTHER SPARTANS
Tricia Gregory      83  88  171
Kellie Dennis       90  87  177
Competing as individuals:
Summer Kline        85  84  169
Jaime Martin        87  84  171

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