Sep. 20, 2004

Sunriver, Ore. – South Carolina sophomore Jenna Pearson shot a two-under-par 69 in first round play to lead the way for the Gamecocks in their first team event of the fall season at the Mercedes Benz of Bend NCAA Women’s Fall Preview Monday at the Meadows Golf Course at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Ore.

Also competing for the Gamecocks were a pair of freshmen in Laura Raffo, who carded a six-over 77 in her first round as a collegian, and Caroline Rominger, who also shot a six-over 77.

Senior Tiffany Catafygiotu and sophomore Megan Miller were also in action, with Catafygiotu shooting a nine-over 80 and Miller carding an 11-over 82.

Pearson started her round out about as well as could be imagined, recording birdies on each of the first three holes. After back-to-back pars on four and five, she birdied the par-four sixth to bring her score to four-under-par through the first six holes. A bogey on the par-three eighth hole was countered off by a birdie on the par-five 10th, with Pearson achieving par on six of the last eight holes to finish tied for eighth overall at two under.

Second-round action resumes tomorrow.