April 19, 2006

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - For the second time this spring, Indiana golfer Shannon Johnson has been tabbed the Big Ten Women's Golfer of the Week, following her performance at the Illini Spring Invitational on April 14-15. Johnson becomes the first Hoosier in school history to win the award twice in the same season.

"It's obviously a feat which has not been accomplished in IU history and she should be proud of receiving this honor for a second time," head coach Clint Wallman said. "Shannon has had a terrific spring season and is certainly deserving of this award. I look for her to continue her strong play through the end of this season and into the postseason."

Johnson earned her second weekly nod of the campaign after placing second overall at last weekend's Illini Spring Invitational. The Hoosier senior, who garnered the highest Big Ten finish out of four league schools in the event, recorded a three-over par 147 (75-72) during the 36-hole event and finished just one stroke behind the tournament's medalist, Cathryn Bristow of Oregon.

Johnson began the event's second day in a tie for fourth overall, but shot even par on Saturday, which marked the third time over her last five rounds she posted a round of par or better. The second-place finish also marked the fourth time this season Johnson finished among the top five in a tournament, including two victories (Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 10-11 and the UNLV Spring Invitational on March 13-15).

The Sioux Falls, S.D., native earned her first Big Ten Golfer of the Week honor after blistering the Boulder Creek Golf Course with her school record of five-under par 211 (68-75-68) at the UNLV Spring Invitational on March 13-15. The Hoosier senior transfer blew past the field by recording birdies on three of her last five holes to finish four strokes ahead of second-place Alejandra Shaw of Campbell (215).

In the process, she topped the former three-round school record of 212, set by former All-American Karen Dennison in 2002 and became the first IU golfer in school lore to record two separate rounds of 68 in the same tournament. Additionally, Johnson became the second Hoosier in school history to record rounds of 69-or-below twice in her career (Dennison). The victory marked Johnson's second of the 2005-06 campaign. She also captured medalist honors at the Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 11.

Johnson and the Hoosiers will next be in action on April 22-23 at the Lady Buckeye Invitational. Later in the month, Indiana will play host for the 2006 Big Ten Championships on the IU Golf Course on April 28-30.