TheThe University of Minnesota women's golf team is in 11th place after the first day's action at the 2002 Big Ten Women's Golf Championship at the Stone Creek Golf Course in Urbana, Ill., on Friday. The Golden Gophers tallied rounds of 314 and 311 for 625. Ohio State carded a team score of 586, to own a five-stroke lead over Purdue heading into Saturday's third round.

The Buckeyes took the team lead on the strength of performances by defending medalist Mollie Fankhauser and Lindsay Knowlton, who share the individual lead at 1-under par 143. Fankhauser shot a 75 in the first round, before rebounding with a course record-tying round of 4-under par 68 in the second round. Knowlton scored consistent rounds of 71 and 72.

Playing in her first Big Ten Championship, rookie Tai Kinney is the top Gopher, in a tie for 24th place at 154 after rounds of 75 and 79.

Other Gophers competing are junior Kirstin Whalen, who is tied for 37th at 156 (80-76), first-year Terra Petsinger, who is tied for 39th at 157 (79-78), junior Karyn Stordahl, who is tied for 42nd at 158 (80-78) and senior Cindy Cannon, in 62nd place at 165 (85-80). Sophomore Karen Quintelier shot 84 in the first round but withdrew from play in the second round due to illness.

Play continues on the 6,215-yard course with 18 holes on Saturday and concludes with a final round on Sunday.

2002 Big Ten Championship Stone Creek Golf Course ? Urbana, Ill. April 26, 2002 ? After two rounds 6,215 yards ? par 72 Fin. School Scores 1 Ohio State Univ. 297 289 586 +10 2 Purdue University 294 297 591 +15 3 Indiana University 305 292 597 +21 4 Michigan, U. of 302 296 598 +22 5 Michigan State U. 300 305 605 +29 6 Northwestern Univ. 304 302 606 +30 Illinois, U. of 307 299 606 +30 8 Wisconsin, U. of 303 312 615 +39 9 Penn State Univ. 315 306 621 +45 10 Iowa, U. of 318 305 623 +47 11 Minnesota, U. of 314 311 625 +49 Top Five Individuals Fin. Name School Scores 1 Mollie Fankhauser Ohio State 75 68 143 -1 Lindsay Knowlton Ohio State 71 72 143 -1 3 Karen Dennison Indiana 75 70 145 +1 Le Anna Wicks Michigan 72 73 145 +1 5 Caroline Laurens Purdue 72 74 146 +2 Laura Olin Michigan 75 71 146 +2 Golden Gopher Golfers T 24 Tai Kinney 75 79 154 T 37 Kirstin Whalen 80 76 156 T 39 Terra Petsinger 79 78 157 T 42 Karyn Stordahl 80 78 158 62 Cindy Cannon 85 80 165 DQ Karen Quintelier 84 DQ