Feb. 23, 2001

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - North Carolina's women's golf team is in ninth place with a 308 total after the first round of the Suntrust Lady Gator Invitational. Auburn leads the field of 17 teams with a four-over-par 292 total. Georgia is one shot back in second place at 293 while Alabama is third at 294, Tennessee is fourth at 297, Central Florida is fifth at 302 and Florida State is sixth with a 304 total.

Reilley Rankin of Georgia grabbed the individual lead by firing a two-under-par 70. Five players are tied for second place at even par 72 * South Carolina's Kristy McPherson, Georgia's Laura Henderson, Tennessee's Tai Perry, Auburn's Celeste Troche and Central Florida's Kim Tudor.

Two Tar Heels are tied for 21st place with 75 totals * juniors Heather Angell and Shelley McKevitt. Freshman Ashley Prange carded a 78 and is tied for 48th place while Beth Lever is tied for 64th place with an 80 and junior Britta Olson is tied for 76th with an 82.

The 54-hole event continues through Sunday and is being played at the University of Florida Golf Course which features a par 72, 5,840-yard layout.

TEAM SCORES (18 HOLES)
1. Auburn 292
2. Georgia 293
3. Alabama 294
4. Tennessee 297
5. Central Florida 302
6. Florida State 304
7. Louisiana State 305
Vanderbilt 305
9. North Carolina 308
10. South Carolina 309
11. Arkansas 310
12. South Florida 311
Florida 311
14. Mississippi 312
15. Mississippi State 314
16. Wake Forest 318
17. Kentucky 325

TOP INDIVIDUALS (18 HOLES)
1. Reilley Rankin (Georgia) 70
2. Kristy McPherson (South Carolina) 72
Laura Henderson (Georgia) 72
Tai Perry (Tennessee) 72
Celeste Troche (Auburn) 72
Kim Tudor (Central Florida 72

CAROLINA'S INDIVIDUALS
T21 Heather Angell 75
T21 Shelley McKevitt 75
T48 Ashley Prange 78
T64 Beth Lever 80
T76 Britta Olson 82