Sept. 11, 2006

HANAHAN, S.C. - Katie Stepanek opened the Fall 2006 season with matching rounds of 73 to tie for 14th individually and lead the University of Maryland to seventh place after the first two rounds Monday at the Cougar Classic.

The tournament, hosted by the University of Charleston, is being played at the Yeamans Hall golf course.

Maryland had team scores of 298 and 299 for a 597 total after the first 36 holes of the 54-hole event. The Terrapins were nine strokes behind a Florida State and Furman, which were tied for fifth in the team standings.

North Carolina and LSU were tied atop the standings at 579, with Alabama in third at 582.

Stepanek led the Terrapin finishers after Monday's rounds at 146. Kelly Calkin was tied for 24th at 148, Kelly MacWhinnie was tied for 35th at 150, Jessica Reno carded a 155 and tied for 58th, with Katie Trotter in at 158 and a tie for 71st.

The final round of the tournament begins early Tuesday morning. Maryland is attempting to build on its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament from last spring.

TEAM STANDINGS
T1. North Carolina 579, T1. LSU 579, 3. Alabama 582, 4. Tennessee 587, T5. Florida State 588, T5. Furman 588, 7. MARYLAND 597, T8. NC State 599, T8. South Florida 599, T8. Coll. of Charleston 599, 11. Notre Dame 601, 12. Campbell 605, 13. Miami 614, T14. Georgia State 617, T14. UNC Greensboro 617, 16. Mississippi State 620, 17. Richmond 621, 18. Kentucky 622.

MARYLAND SCORES
T14. Katie Stepanek 73-73--146, T24. Kelly Calkin 73-75--148, T35. Kelly MacWhinnie 74-76--150, T58. Jessica Reno 80-75--155, T71. Katie Trotter 78-80--158.