March 10, 2009
SORRENTO, Fla. -
Senior Stephanie Connelly (Pasadena, Md.) shot a 74 on Tuesday to lead the UCF women's golf team in the final round of the UCF Challenge at the par-72 RedTail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla.
Meanwhile, atop the star-studded leader board, Stephanie Kono, ranked fourth in the nation, shot a final round 66 (-6) to claim individual medalist honors by a single stroke and help push No. 2 UCLA to a seven-stroke team victory as the Bruins gradually pulled away from No. 1 Arizona State (857, -7) over the back nine, finishing with a team score of 850 (-14). Kono's winning final three-round tally was an eight-under-par 208 (71-71-66).
No. 6 Oklahoma State (861, -3), No. 3 USC (872, +8) and No. 8 Auburn (874, +10) rounded out the top five. UCF placed 18th with a 923 (+59). The event featured 13 of the nation's Top 20 teams and 29 of the Top 50 individuals.
It was the first time that the event has not been won by Duke. The Blue Devils finished 13th this year. It also marks the first time that Duke has not produced the individual medalist with Jennie Lee topping its 2009 participants with a third place finish at 210 (-6). In both 2007 and 2008, the eventual NCAA Champion participated in the UCF Challenge en route to the title (Duke in 2007 and USC in 2008). The 2009 field was comprised of the winners of 19 of the 27 all-time NCAA Championships, including each of the last seven.
Individually for the Knights, Connelly and freshman Elisa Aoki (Bradenton, Fla.) each finished the UCF Challenge with matching scores of 224 (+8). Katie Detlefsen (Eagan, Minn.) was UCF's third finisher with her 236 (+20). Mayule Tomimbang (Kissimmee, Fla.) carded a 239 (+23) while Victoria Tomko (Lontzen, Belgium) checked in with a 241 (+25). Competing as an individual, Jessy Tang (Miami, Fla.) turned in a final round 77 on Tuesday to finish with a 237 (+21).
The Knights will return to action March 20-22 when they travel to Austin, Texas to compete in the Betsy Rawls Invitational.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
2009 UCF CHALLENGE
REDTAIL GOLF CLUB * SORRENTO, FLA.
FINAL RESULTS * PAR 72 * 6,301 YARDS
TEAM SCORE
1. UCLA 282-287-281=850 (-14)
2. Arizona State 284-284-289=857 (-7)
3. Oklahoma State 286-289-286=861 (-3)
4. USC 291-286-295=872 (+8)
5. Auburn 290-294-290=874 (+10)
...
18. UCF 308-300-315=923 (+59)
UCF SCORERS
T54. Stephanie Connelly 76-74-74=224 (+8)
T54. Elisa Aoki 71-74-79=224 (+8)
83. Katie Detlefsen 80-76-80=236 (+20)
88. Mayule Tomimbang 81-76-82=239 (+23)
T90. Victoria Tomko 81-77-83=241 (+25)
IND. Jessy Tang 76-84-77=237 (+21)
TOP OVERALL INDIVIDUALS
1. Stephanie Kono, UCLA 71-71-66=208 (-8)
2. Jessica Yadloczky, Florida 66-70-73=209 (-7)
3. Jenny Lee, Duke 71-68-71=210 (-6)
T4. Candace Schepperle, Auburn 73-70-68=211 (-5)
T4. Glory Yang, UCLA 68-72-71=211 (-5)