April 3, 2006

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Northwestern Invitational Team Results (Day One)
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Northwestern Invitational Individual Results (Day One)
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Northwestern Invitational Combined Results (Day One)
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Northwestern Invitational Statistics (Day One)
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RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -- 23rd-ranked Kent State University fired back-to-back rounds of 279 and 276 (21-under 555) to cruise to a 17-stroke lead at the Northwestern Invitational, being held on the Gary Player Signature Course at the Westin Mission Hills Resort.

Northwestern, ranked 43rd in the latest Golfweek/Sagarin index, is in 12th place overall with a 27-over 603 (304-299). The Wildcats' Heather Scholten (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) is in sixth place with an even-par 144 (71-73).

The Golden Flashes' trio of Kira Meixner, Becky Wood and Tara Delaney dominated the day's first two rounds. Meixner and Wood are tied for the tourney lead with 8-under 136's. Meixner fired a 67 and 69 and Wood countered with a 69 and 67. Delaney is in third place with a 6-under 138 (68-70).

Northwestern's Jennifer Hong (Windermere, Fla./The First Academy) bounced back from an opening-round 7-over 79 with a 2-under 70 in the second round to move into 30th place (79-70=149). The 70 was the Wildcats' best 18-hole score of the day.

NU's Alice Kim (Los Angeles, Calif./Brentwood) is 53rd overall with an 11-over 155 (78-77). Sophomores Brittany Johnston (Akron, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) and Katie Trachok (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St. Clair) are 58th and 61st overall, respectively, with a 13-over 157 (76-81) and a 14-over 158 (79-79). Northwestern's Kelly Robb (Concord, Mass./Middlesex), competing as an individual, is tied with Trachok for 61st place at 14-over (79-79=158).

Other Big Ten teams in the field include Michigan State (second place), Michigan (eighth place) and Penn State (11th place).

The third and final round begins at 7:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (9:30 a.m. CT).