Johnson leads Lady'Backs as the winds blow in Texas

Jump tosecond round results LUBBOCK, Texas – Winds topping 30 miles per hour pushed scores higher for the 20th-ranked University of Arkansas and the rest of the field in the second round of the 2005 NCAA Central Region Championship in Lubbock, Texas, Friday. The Lady Razorbacks posted a 311 paced by Hot Springs, Ark., senior Gena Johnson with a 75. Johnson was in at plus-one on the back nine after starting on the 10th hole and finished the day with two birdies. Juniors Courtney Mahon and Lindsey Hinshaw also had a pair of birdies each at the par 72 Rawls Course in an event hosted by Texas Tech University. “We’re still in the thick of things,” said head coach Kelley Hester, “but we’re not finishing well. I don’t feel like we’ve put together three good rounds all season but we’ve also left ourselves close. I was very proud of both Gena and Lindsey (Hinshaw) today. Gena rebounded with a great round and Lindsey has been solid since the SEC Championship. I couldn’t ask for anything more from them.” Arkansas’ 311 on the day moved the Lady’Backs into 10th place overall, just eight strokes out of the lead in one of the tightest races the Lady’Backs have faced this season. “It’s still anyone’s race,” said Hester. “We have the talent to make a move Saturday but we’re going to have to put together four good rounds to do it.” Hinshaw carded a 77 for at 154 over two rounds. Johnson stands at 156 (81-75). Redshirt freshman Stacy Lewis posted a 78 Friday for a 153 (75-78), followed by Amanda McCurdy and Mahon with 81s. McCurdy stands at 157 (76-81) while Mahon has a 153 (72-81) after leading the team with a72 in the first round. The strong winds were noticeable in nearly every team’s scores in the second round. Several Lady’Backs found it more difficult to putt in the wind than to hit their approach shot but the gusty conditions altered nearly every aspect of the game. Lewis and Mahon lead Arkansas and are tied for 35th overall. Hinshaw, in her first regional appearance, is tied for 42nd overall, followed by Johnson who is tied for 57th and McCurdy who is tied for 69th in the field. Thirty-first-ranked Baylor posted the lowest round of the second day with a 301 moving into a four-way tie for first with No. 38 Texas A&M, No. 18 Missouri and No. 3 Auburn at 603. Thirty-third-ranked Purdue is fifth overall lat 604, followed by No. 4 Arizona State at 605, No. 39 Michigan State and No. 21 Texas tied for seventh with 607, No. 22 Tulsa at 608 and No. 20 Arkansas just eight strokes out of the lead with 611. The Lady Razorbacks are fighting for one of the top eight spots in the field with those teams moving on to the NCAA Championship in Sun River, Ore., in two weeks. For more information about Arkansas golf log on to LADYBACKS.COM.