Oct. 21, 2005

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (SMU) - The SMU women's golf team sits in seventh place after one round of the ninth-annual Mercedes-Benz Women's Collegiate Championships at Cherokee Country Club. SMU carded a team total of 304 and trails leader Purdue (+4) by 16 strokes.

The 18th-ranked Mustangs are part of a 15-team field that features eight ranked squads, including No. 3 Arkansas, No. 4 Georgia, No. 6 Purdue, two-time defending event champion and No. 15 Ohio State, No. 19 Tennessee, No. 20 Tulane and No. 23 Michigan State.

SMU is led by junior Laura Cross, who is tied for 10th at 2-over 73. Kristina Rothengatter is two shots back of Cross at 4-over 75 and is tied for 19th. Also playing for SMU are Jennifer Ackerson (+7/T40th), Lacey Jones (+7/T40th) and Kate Ackerson (+10/T62nd).

Eighteen holes will be played Saturday and the final 18 are set for Sunday. Tee times start at 8:30 a.m. daily.