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FIU's Jennifer Owens, a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference performer, leads the Golden Panthers into the 2003 season. (Geoff Anderson Photo)

he Florida International softball team opens its sixth season of intercollegiate competition when the Golden Panthers host the 2003 Diamond Sports Fun & Sun Classic this weekend at Golden Panther Stadium on the University Park campus. This year's field features 17th-ranked Georgia, Illinois State and Kentucky.

Host Florida International, No. 17-ranked Georgia, Illinois State and Kentucky will compete in this round-robin tournament with the consolation and championship games scheduled for Sunday.

Despite the loss of seven seniors from last year's 39-34 team that saw FIU finish third in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, with a mix of veteran leadership and newcomer energy, head coach Kim Gwydir has high expectations for her 2003 Golden Panthers.

"This is the most talented group of girls we have ever had in the history of this program," said Gwydir. We have the physical capability to achieve our goals, now we just need maturity to take us through the Sun Belt Conference and into the postseason."

Georgia prepares to kick off its seventh season of competition this weekend with a squad that returns eight starters and a total of 11 lettermen from last year's record setting team, which finished 59-17 and made it to the NCAA Regionals. The Bulldogs also welcome nine newcomers to this season's team.

Coach Lu Harris-Champer captured her 300th win with a 2-1 victory over Maryland-Baltimore County on May 16, 2002. Her career record now stands a 301-108, a winning percentage of .735. Harris still ranks seventh in the NCAA's list of top 10 winningest active coaches.

This will mark Georgia's second consecutive appearance in the Fun & Sun. Last season the Bulldogs emerged champions, outscoring the opposition 27-10, while jumping out to a 5-0 record. Lacey Gardner was outstanding in the tournament, winning three games, including two against FIU.

Head coach Melinda Fischer and her Illinois State softball team are no strangers to the Miami area either as they, too, competed in last year's Fun & Sun competition. The January 31 start date marks the earliest season start in Fischer’s 18-year career. Fischer feels this will only benefit the team.

“This gives us a great opportunity to get out early and see what our strengths and weaknesses are at this point,” said Fischer.

While the Redbirds left Miami last year with just a 1-4 record, Illinois State came back and finished last season with a 34-17 overall record and a Valley League regular-season championship title.

This will also be the second consecutive season that the University of Kentucky will participate in Fun & Sun Classic. Coach Beth Pruitt is beginning her seventh season at the helm of the Wildcat program. She owns a 140-226 record in the Bluegrass.

The Cats return five starters and one pitcher from the 2002 season, which saw them go 24-32 overall, 6-21 in the SEC. Among the returnees are two-time All-SEC performers Lyndsey Angus and Nikki Jones. Sophomore Meghan Cooper is the only returning pitcher from a year ago. She went 12-10 last year and led the team with 163 innings pitched.

Directions to FIU University Park

From Miami International Airport
Take State Road No. 836 West (Dolphin Expressway) to Northwest 107 Avenue/South exit. Proceed south on 107 Avenue to Southwest Eighth Street (SR 41/Tamiami Trail). Turn right on Eighth Street, two traffic lights to Southwest 112 Avenue. Turn left onto campus.

From I-95
Traveling north or south on I-95, exit at State Road 836 West (Dolphin Expressway) to Northwest 107 Avenue/South exit. Proceed south on 107 Avenue to Southwest Eighth Street (SR 41/Tamiami Trail). Turn right on Eighth Street, two traffic lights to Southwest 112 Avenue. Turn left onto campus.

From the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826)
Traveling north or south on the Palmetto Expressway, exit westbound on Southwest Eighth Street (SR 41/Tamiami Trail). Proceed to Southwest 112 Avenue. Turn left onto campus.

From Florida Turnpike
Exit at Southwest Eighth Street (No. 25/Tamiami Trail). Turn right on Eighth Street (SR 41/Tamiami Trail). Proceed to Southwest 112 Avenue. Turn right onto campus.

Ticket Information

The FIU Athletic Ticket Office is located on the first floor southeast side of Golden Panther Arena on the University Park Campus and is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Telephone: (866) FIU-GAME or (305) 348-4263 in Miami-Dade County.

Day Pass: $3.00/General Admission | $2.00/FIU Faculty, Staff, Youth and Senior Citizens
FIU Students admitted free with a valid ID card

Diamond Sports Fun & Sun Classic Bracket

All-Tournament Team