Cougars Win Anteater Invitational

IRVINE, CAL, March 21, 2006--Following three second place finishes in 2006, the BYU women won the Anteater Invitational Tuesday, backed by the impressive play of Juli Wightman and tournament winner Rachel Newren.

Head coach Sue Nyhus said it was a tough fought victory. "We've been knocking on the door for a long time," said Nyhus. "It felt really good to get over the hump and pull out the victory."

All-American Newren birdied three of the first six holes en route to a three stroke victory over UC Irvine's Selenee Henderson. It was Newren's first tournament victory of the season and the second of her career.

Wightman shot an even-par 72, the low round of the entire tournament, and finished fourth overall. Coach Nyhus said it was Wightman's and Newren's stellar play that willed the Cougars to victory.

"Juli was determined to make today different and play better than the previous two rounds," Nyhus said. "The conditions were really tough to score well, which makes that 72 very impressive."

BYU moved up to No. 29 in the latest rankings. Being in the top 30 in the country is particularly special for Coach Nyhus.

"We're getting stronger and this team is really starting to believe in themselves," she said. "We need to take this confidence we are gaining and keep moving forward."

The Cougars will take this added confidence into April as they participate in the BYU Dixie Classic April 3-5. BYU hosts the Dixie Classic in St. George, Utah at the Entrada at Snow Canyon golf course.

Team Results
1. BYU                       315-315-312--942  +78
2. UC-Irvine                 317-322-308--947  +83
3. Nevada, U. of             320-328-326--974  +110
4. Penn State Univ.          325-327-327--979  +115
5. Georgetown                345-328-317--990  +126 
6. Montana                   328-329-339--996  +132 
7. Northern Colorado         347-342-350--1039 +175 
8. Dartmouth College         353-340-351--1044 +180
BYU Individual Results
1.  Rachel Newren                78-76-75--229  +13
4.  Juli Wightman                81-81-72--234  +18
T6. Alexis Edwards               80-76-82--238  +22
11. Danielle von Arnim           76-82-83--241  +25
22. Natalia Jimenez              82-83-84--249  +33
43 participants