March 15, 2006

HENDERSON, Nev. - Senior Shannon Johnson blistered the Boulder Creek Golf Course with her second round of 68 in three days, to run away with medalist honors with a school record of five-under par 211 (68-75-68) at the UNLV Spring Invitational. Johnson blew past the field by recording birdies on three of her last five holes to finish four strokes ahead of second-place Alejandra Shaw of Campbell (215). As a team, Indiana finished tied with Texas Tech for 10th overall in the 19-team field with a 921 (301-307-313).

The Sioux Falls, S.D., native topped the former three-round school record of 212, set by former All-American Karen Dennison at the 2002 Shootout at the Legends. Johnson also became the first IU golfer in school lore to record two separate rounds of 68 in the same tournament. Additionally, Johnson became the second Hoosier in school history to record rounds of 69 or below twice in her career (Dennison). The victory was Johnson's second of the 2005-06 campaign. She also captured medalist honors at the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 11.

"It is surreal right now and hasn't really hit me yet," Johnson said of her record-breaking performance. "I finally felt like things were starting to click and Coach (Clint) Wallman really helped me to keep my focus down the stretch."

Meanwhile, sophomore Elaine Harris closed play tied for 35th overall with a spring season-low 228 (76-74-78). Harris has now recorded sub-80 scores in 12 of her last 14 rounds. Freshman Tara Boone tied for 77th overall with a 240 (78-81-81), while freshman Amber Lindgren finished tied for 86th with a 245 (79-80-86). Senior Katie Carlson rounded out the team with a 251 (86-78-87). Junior Jenny Kim, playing as an individual, finished tied for 75th with a 239 (77-82-80).

"There are certainly a lot of positives we can take from this weekend," IU head coach Clint Wallman said. "I thought we played solidly all weekend long in difficult conditions. There are some things we still need to work out to become a better contender at the Big Ten level, but this will certainly give us some momentum as we get closer to the Big Ten Championships (April 28-30 at the IU Course)."

The Hoosiers will now take several weeks off before returning to action on April 15-16 at the Illini Spring Invitational.

UNLV Spring Invitational (Final Results)

1. UNLV 879 (290-289-300)

2. Brigham Young 882 (303-290-289)

3. Campbell 885 (296-292-297)

4. Long Beach State 886 (289-296-301)

5. New Mexico 891 (301-288-302)

T10. Indiana 921 (301-307-313)

Indiana Individuals (Final Results)

1. Shannon Johnson 211 (68-75-68)

T35. Elaine Harris 228 (76-74-78)

T77. Tara Boone 240 (78-81-81)

T86. Amber Lindgren 245 (79-80-86)

90. Katie Carlson 251 (86-78-87)

T75. Jenny Kim* 239 (77-82-80)

* - competed as an individual.