June 3, 2002

DURHAM, N.C.-- Duke University rising junior Leigh Anne Hardin was selected to the U.S. Curtis Cup team on Monday along with seven other amateurs for the biennial match against Britain and Ireland.

Joining Hardin on the U.S. team will be Carol Semple Thompson, Meredith Duncan of LSU; Emily Bastel of Michigan State; Mollie Fankhauser of Ohio State; Angela Jerman of Georgia; Laura Myerscough of Arizona; and Courtney Swaim of Auburn.

Hardin received NGCA All-America honors for the first time in her two-year career, after the posting the 10th-best season stroke average in school history, 74.70. The sophomore from Martinsville, Ind., picked up individual medallist honors at the NCAA East Regional, had eight top 20 and five top 10 finishes on the season. Hardin came on strong in the final three rounds of the NCAA Championship with rounds of 72-71-72 to finish tied for 13th individually.

The Curtis Cup will be played Aug. 3-4 at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh. The United States has won the last two matches and leads the series 22-6-3. The team was selected by the USGA Women's Committee. Mary Budke, who played with Semple Thompson on the 1974 team, will be the captain.