SOUTHERN PINES—Defending individual champion Courtney Gunter of Indian Trail Porter Ridge is in a position to try to make it two in a row after Monday’s opening day of play in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s state 1A/2A/3A women’s golf championships at the Longleaf Golf and Country Club.

Gunter, a junior who rallied from six shots off the pace and jumped from fourth after the first day to the title in last year’s tournament, went to the top of the leader board with a three-over par 74, including a 35 on the front nine. She is one stroke ahead of Havelock’s Jennifer Crow and four shots in front of third-place Laura Kinsman of Cameron Union Pines.

Union Pines made a strong team showing to hold first place by eight shots over defending team titlist Salisbury. Wilson Fike is in third at 253, 10 shots back.

The best three scores of a team count toward the team totals, and a total of eight teams and 78 golfers are competing in the event, the fifth year that a separate 1A/2A/3A championship has been held.

Play is now scheduled to get underway at 8:30 on Tuesday morning, a delay of 30 minutes over the previously announced tee times due to a frost warning.

Wendy’s and the Carolinas Ford Dealers are the presenting sponsors of the NCHSAA sports program.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

2007 STATE 1A/2A/3A WOMEN’S GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

Longleaf Golf and Country Club, Southern Pines

Monday’s Results—Team Standings

1. Cameron Union Pines 243

2. Salisbury 251

3. Wilson Fike 253

4. Southern Lee 281

5. Charlotte Catholic 282

6. Eastern Wayne 284

7. Burlington Williams 300

8. Southern Wayne 317

Individual Leaders

1. Courtney Gunter, Indian Trail Porter Ridge 35-39–74

2. Jennifer Crow, Havelock 37-38–75

3. Laura Kinsman, Cameron Union Pines 42-36–78

4. Lauren Smith, Salisbury 41-38–79

5. Lori Beth Adams, Western Alamance 42-40–82

Laura Chang, Jamestown Ragsdale 42-40–82

Samantha Gilder, Cameron Union Pines 40-42–82

8. Erin Green, Charlotte Catholic 38-45–83

Amy Otteson, Wilson Fike 42-41–83

Allison Lee, Salisbury 40-43–83

Amanda D’Ostroph, Cameron Union Pines 41-42–83

Hayley Hammond, Lake Norman 42-41–83

13.Jessica Mitchell, Mooresville 41-43–84