GOLD COAST, Australia – Former American amateur star Amanda Blumenherst shot a 6-under 66 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over defending champion Katherine Hull after the first round of the ANZ Australian Ladies Masters.
Blumenherst, formerly of Fort Wayne and last year’s Mad Anthonys Red Coat winner, made birdies on three of her final four holes on a Royal Pines resort course soggy from recent heavy rain.
“It wasn’t an accident that I played well in so many amateur and college events,” said Blumenherst, the three-time collegiate player of the year from Duke who turned pro in June.
BASKETBALL
Byrd is top scorer at Blackhawk
Blackhawk Christian senior Russell Byrd now holds the school’s all-time scoring record with 1,320 points. He surpassed Josh Rang on Tuesday night when he scored 28 points in a 72-52 victory over Lakewood Park in the Hamilton Class A Sectional.
Baylor star’s punch earns suspension
No. 14 Baylor’s freshman sensation Brittney Griner has been suspended for at least two games after throwing a punch that broke an opposing player’s nose in a Big 12 game. Bears coach Kim Mulkey said in a statement issued that Griner will be suspended for one game in addition to the one-game suspension mandated by NCAA rules.
FOOTBALL
Cougar grad hired by Ball State
James Bettcher, a 2003 graduate of Saint Francis, has been named the defensive ends coach for Ball State, according to head football coach Stan Parrish.
GOLF
Two share lead at Honda Classic
Nathan Green and Michael Connell each shot bogey-free rounds of 5-under 65 to share the lead after one round of the Honda Classic at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Woods’ behavior surprised caddie
Steve Williams, Tiger Woods’ caddie, told New Zealand’s TV3’s “60 Minutes” that he knew nothing about the golfer’s extramarital affairs and was angry with him over the scandal. The New Zealander, who has been Woods’ caddie for 11 years, said he would have spoken up if he had known about the player’s behavior.
SOCCER
USF men sign four players from area
Saint Francis has signed four Fort Wayne area players for the men’s soccer freshman class of 2010. The four are forward Andrew Moldovan (Northrop), midfielders Austin Presley (Northrop) and Jerico Sanders (South Side) and defender Wilson Thornton (Angola).
TRACK
Tech women’s relay team second
The Indiana Tech women’s 4x400-meter relay team finished with the second best time in the preliminary heat at 3:51.24 at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Johnson City, Tenn. Sophomore Preosha Graham-Coates of Harding is a member of the team. The men’s 4x400-relay team finishing 14th with a time of 3:21.11. Senior Russell Dill of North Side is part of the squad.
