Oct. 8, 2007

FRANKLIN, Ind. - Illinois senior Seul Ki Park enjoyed a record day in the opening round of the Shootout at the Legends on Monday, firing a school-record round of 66 in the first of two rounds. She followed that up with a 73 in the second round of the day for a five-under-par 36-hole total of 139 to hold the individual lead by three strokes. Park's heroics helped the Illini to a two-round total of 595 (296-299) at the 6,356-yard, par-72 Legends of Indiana Golf Course to share the overall lead with Eastern Michigan.

"We're in the position we want to be in," said head coach Renee Slone. "We've been working all year to have an opportunity like this. We finished strong in the second round and are confident playing on this course, so I think we feel good about our chances tomorrow."

Park had seven birdies and one bogey in the opening round to better not only Laurin Kanda's Illinois single-round record of 67 (set at the 2003 Illini Spring Classic), but also top the Legends of Indiana Golf Course record of 67. The Northbrook, Ill., native is now in position pick-up her second-career medalist title as she won the Indiana Invitational last spring.

"Seul Ki was exceptional in the first round," Slone said. "Everything was going her way. She was knocking her irons close and making it look easy out there."

Illinois' first round score of 296 ties for the fourth-lowest team round in school history, just five shots off the school record of 291. In addition to Park's heroics, Stephanie Mory (76-77) fired a 36-hole total of 153, tying her for 23rd. Seniors Kristin Kallergis (77-79) and Kristine Cook (81-75) are tied for 28th after each carded two round totals of 156. Senior Casey Burden (83-74-157) and junior Nancy Featherstone (77-81-158) rounded out the scoring for the Illini, tying for 32nd and 39th, respectively. Burden's second round 74 marks her low round for the season.

The tournament will wrap up tomorrow, Oct. 9, with a single round. For coverage of the Illinois women's golf team at the Shootout at the Legends, visit fightingillini.com for a full recap at the end of the tournament.

TEAM LEADERBOARD
1t. ILLINOIS 296-299 - 595
1t. Eastern Michigan 290-305 - 595
3. Grand Valley State 305-296 - 601
4. Illinois State 303-300 - 603
5. Ball State 305-299 - 604
6. Georgetown 296-314 - 610
7. Southern Illinois 307-308 - 615
8. Northern Illinois 305-319 - 624
9. Toledo 310-316 - 626
10. Indiana State 311-316 - 627
11. St. John's 314-315 - 629
12. Bowling Green 328-322 - 650
13. Old Dominion 329-323 - 652

ILLINOIS RESULTS
1. Seul Ki Park 66-73 - 139 (-5)
23t. Stephanie Mory 76-77 - 153 (+9)
28t. Kristin Kallergis 77-79 - 156 (+12)
28t. Kristine Cook 81-75 - 156 (+12)
32t. Casey Burden 83-74 - 157 (+13)
39t. Nancy Featherstone 77-81 - 158 (+14)