The Gophers women's golf team flirted with the lead on Thursday throughout the first round of the 24-team NCAA Central Regional in Stillwater, Okla.

Minnesota eventually finished tied for sixth place at 299, four shots behind co-leaders Alabama and California.

Banchalee Theinthong of the Gophers was tied for 11th place after a 1-over 73. Sarinee Thitiratanakorn and Anna Laorr were tied for 17th with 74s. Carmen Laguna also was having a solid round and was 1 over until an 8 on No. 16, a par-4. She shot a 78.

The individual leader was Kent State's Wad Phaewchimplee with a 7-under 65.

Etc.

• The TC 1 Mile race set for Thursday night on Nicollet Mall was canceled because of inclement weather.

• The Gophers baseball team will play Purdue this weekend in its final home series of the season. The first game is 6:35 p.m. Friday at Siebert Field.

• The Gophers softball team will play Purdue at 11 a.m. Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament in Evanston, Ill. The Boilermakers beat Indiana 4-2 Thursday in their first-round game, scoring its first runs on Ashley Burkhardt's two-run homer. Third-seeded Minnesota (38-9, 16-6 conference), which had an opening-round bye, won two of three games on the road from Purdue May 2-4.

• Jim Gagliardi was promoted rooffensive coordinator at St. John's, and Brandon Novak, the school's wrestling coach, will step down to spend more time being co-defensive coordinator. Tony Willaert was named interim wrestling coach.

• St. Catherine senior Victoria Bravo was selected for the 32-player singles draw in the NCAA Division III women's tennis championships May 22-24 in Claremont, Calif. She was 17-1 in singles and doubles against MIAC opponents.

• Sophomore designated hitter Justin Anderson of Century College in White Bear Lake and freshman shortstop Ashley Bunting of Rochester Community and Technical College were named NJCAA baseball and softball players of the week.