May 7, 2005

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Northwestern finished three spots better than its tournament seeding, but the Wildcats' 14th-place finish was not good enough to earn a trip to this year's NCAA National Championships. The Wildcats, who carded a 59-over 923 (311-306-306), fell 15 shots shy of eighth-place Stanford.

The top eight teams from the NCAA Regional garner trips to Sunriver, Ore., where a national champion will be crowned May 20.

Instead, the Wildcat season comes to a close, along with the career of senior captain Ina Kim (Encino, Calif./Harvard-Westlake). The second-team All-Big Ten selection finished her final collegiate tournament in 57th place with a 16-over 232 (81-74-77).

Northwestern's other all-Big Ten honoree, sophomore Alice Kim (Los Angeles, Calif./Brentwood), was the Wildcats' top finisher, placing 35th. She started with a 1-under 71 on Thursday, but a 6-under 78 on Friday and a 7-under 79 on Saturday dropped her back to 35th (12-over 228).

Freshman Brittany Johnston (Akron, Ohio/Walsh-Jesuit) finished 48th with a 15-over 231 (78-78-75). Her 3-over 75 was NU's best third-round score.

Sophomores Heather Scholten (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) and Kelly Robb (Concord, Mass./Middlesex School) placed 73rd and 96th, respectively, at 19-over and 27-over.

Final results can be found by linking to 2005 NCAA West Regional. Other information can be found at New Mexico State Women's Golf and NCAA Women's Golf.