April 28, 2014

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OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss sophomore women's golfer Abby Newton was selected to participate as an individual in the 2014 NCAA Championships it was announced on Monday (April 28). Newton is one of 18 individuals who will compete at the NCAA Regionals. Newton will head to Tallahassee, Fla. to play in the East regional.  The East regional will be played at Southwood Golf Club in Tallahassee, Fla., and will be hosted by Florida State.

"I'm proud of Abby and her dedication to improve and compete," said Ole Miss head coach Michele Drinkard. " Hard work can pay off if we get out of our way and let it happen and Abby has done that. Abby has an opportunity to compete at the highest level in college golf for the second year and the best is yet to come for Abby." 

Newton is one of 378 participants selected for regional competition. Of these players, 126 will advance to the championships finals, which will be held May 20-23 in Tulsa, Okla. Eight teams and two individuals will advance from each regional to the championships. 

Newton has led the Ole Miss women's golf team this season posting a team-best 74.73 stroke average. The Katy, Texas native led the Rebels in six events this season including posting a season-best seventh place finish at the Notre Dame Clover Cup where she shot a 221 over the three-day tournament. On the year, Newton had three top 20 finishes. Newton will be making her second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Regionals and her first experience as an individual. 

"I am so excited that I get to represent Ole Miss at the NCAA Regionals," said Newton.  "I'm looking forward to the opportunity to compete." 

This will be the seventh consecutive year Ole Miss has had representation at the NCAA Regionals and the first time the Rebels will be sending an individual since 2008.

The NCAA Regionals open on May 8-10. Aside from the Florida regional, other regionals include Oklahoma State and Washington. The NCAA Championship finals will be held in Tulsa, Okla., at the Tulsa Country Club May 20-23. 

East Regional Participants
1. Duke University (Atlantic Coast Conference)
2. University of South Carolina, Columbia
3. Stanford University (Pac-12 Conference)
4. Vanderbilt University (Southeastern Conference)
5. Pepperdine University (West Coast Conference)
6. University of Central Florida
7. University of Virginia
8. Auburn University
9. North Carolina State University
10. Florida State University
11. University of Kentucky
12. Tulane University
13. University of Louisville
14. Baylor University
15. East Tennessee State University
16. University of Georgia
17. Campbell University
18. East Carolina University
19. Texas State University-San Marcos
20. College of Charleston
21. Troy University
22. Murray State University
23. Seton Hall University
24. Alabama State University 

Individuals:
1. Lori Beth Adams, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
2. Ellen Ceresko, Pennsylvania State University
3. Lacey Fears, Mercer University
4. Kaew Preamchuen, Kennesaw State University
5. Abby Newton, University of Mississippi
6. Christina Vosters, Pennsylvania State University

For all Ole Miss women's golf news and information, go to OleMissSports.com, and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWGolf and on Facebook at Ole Miss Women's Golf.