March 6, 2003

DALLAS, Texas - Baylor senior Melanie Hagewood has been named the Big 12 Golfer of the Month for the month of February, the conference office announced Thursday.

Hagewood, who last season became the first Baylor women's golfer to qualify for the NCAA Championships, has recorded top-10 finished in each of the spring tournaments this season as well as finishing in the top-10 in three of four fall tournaments. She claimed her first collegiate individual title earlier this week, shooting an even-par 72 in the final round of the "Mo"Morial Invitational for a winning total of 145 in the 36-hole event. Hagewood has been a major factor in the Bears' having one of the most successful seasons in school history. Her first-place finish in Houston propelled the BU squad to its first team victory of the spring and its fourth win of 2002-03.

After five rounds this spring, Hagewood is averaging a total score of 73.8. She ranks sixth in the Big 12 with a total (fall and spring) stroke average of 74.27 in 15 rounds played.

The Bears look for their second straight victory when they travel to Florida for the SunTrust Lady Gator Invitational on March 9-11