Benedict Tops Lemanski for State Amateur Crown
7/13/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
| | Benedict | | Lemanski |
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Benedict reached the final by defeating Michigan State University women's golf coach Stacy Slobodnik 4 and 3 in Thursday's morning quarterfinals and downing Spartan player Stacy Snider, the defending champion, 1-up in 20 holes in the afternoon semifinals.
Lemanski, a senior-to-be who has qualified to play in the 2001 U.S. Women's Amateur, gained a 5-and-3 win over teammate LeAnna Wicks (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) in the quarterfinals before topping Western Michigan University's Erica Bieniek 4 and 3 in the semifinals. Wicks was co-medalist in the stroke-play qualifying on Monday (July 9) with her round of 72.
Benedict's title gives U-M a sweep of the state amateur championships this summer. Andy Matthews (Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Central HS), who will be a senior on the Wolverine men's team in 2001-02, claimed the 90th Michigan Amateur on June 23 at Flint Golf Club.
Q U O T E S
Junior Kim Benedict
On winning her second State Amateur title ... "I've worked really hard this summer in preparation for this tournament because in my mind it's the biggest tournament that I'll play this summer, and it's cool to see that paid off. I think that some people thought my win in 1999 was maybe a little lucky and to actually win a second one validates my first one and gives me confidence in my abilities that I can play at this level."
On playing teammate Misia Lemanski in the final ... "It was kind of weird but at the same time it was almost comforting since I knew her. I think we were both really excited to play and we knew that whoever won, whatever the outcome was, we'd be excited for the other person. It was actually a fun match. We didn't necessarily play our greatest. We both could have had much better shots and could have made it a little more interesting, but it was a fun match."
Senior Misia Lemanski
On the final match ... "I didn't play my best but it was a fun match. I just started playing well too late. I'm really glad for Kim; she deserves it."
U-M Head Coach Kathy Teichert
On having two Wolverines in the final ... "It's exciting for two U-M players to be in the final and get to where they've been. They've really worked very hard on their games. It's exceptional for our program."
Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
