Women hope to earn regional bid

IU’s moment of truth has arrived – again.\nFor the second time in as many years, the No. 43 IU women’s golf team will head to the Big Ten Championship in State College, Penn. right on the bubble in terms of qualifying for regionals. \nLast year IU finished fifth at the championships, earning the team an at-large bid to the Central Regionals. At those regionals, IU was dubbed a “Cinderella team” by golfweektv.com as the team finished in fourth place despite being ranked No. 52 nationally. \nThe performance earned IU its first trip to the NCAA Finals since 1998. \nIU can only earn an automatic bid to regionals this year by winning the Big Ten Championships, something that may be difficult given that rival No. 6 Purdue will also be competing. In the Indiana Invitational two weeks ago Purdue won by 42 strokes over second place Ohio State as IU fell to 8th place, 60 strokes back. \nThe Hoosiers can, however, earn an at-large bid again by performing strong at the Big Tens.\nIU coach Clint Wallman said postseason play should provide motivation for the Hoosiers. \n“I think a conference championship is an honor, and if we play well we will move on,” Wallman said. \nIU does have the luxury of having competed at Penn State’s Blue Golf Course in the Lady Northern Tournament earlier this season. In the tournament, IU finished third behind Kent State and Michigan State. \nWallman said the Hoosiers having competed on this course before could provide a boost.\n“There is a certain confidence and familiarity with this course, and we’re stronger now then we were then,” he said. \nIU will use six players at the Big Ten Championships. They are sophomores Kellye Belcher, Anita Gahir and Laura Nochta along with junior Amber Lindgren and seniors Lauren Harling and Elaine Harris. \nOf the four-round tournament, two rounds will take place today and one round each will take place Saturday and Sunday.