FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRUNERO, RUSSO NAMED BATES ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

LEWISTON, Maine -- Junior golfer Nick Brunero of West Warwick, R.I., and sophomore tennis player Jen Russo of Titusville, N.J., have been named Bates Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sept. 27.

On Sept. 25, Brunero became the first person in Bates golf history to win the Maine State Intercollegiate Golf Championship with a four-over-par 76 at the Riverside Municipal Golf Course in Portland. His round included four birdies. This was Brunero's second career tournament win. He shot a 70 to win the Southern Maine Husky Invitational in 1997.

Brunero helped the Bobcats to a third-place finish at the state tournament, six places and 16 strokes better than 1997. With a team score of 331, the Bobcats were 10 strokes behind the winner, Colby College and one stroke out of second place.

"I was impressed with Nick's performance," said golf coach Bob Flynn. "To shoot a 76 with the greens as fast as they were and with the wind blowing was not easy."

Russo, playing No. 2 singles and doubles for the Bates women's tennis team, helped the Bobcats to a 2-1 week. Russo was undefeated in five matches and has yet to lose a set this season.

The Bobcats opened the week with a 9-0 win over Southern Maine Sept. 23. Russo won 6-2, 6-1, in her singles match and 8-2 in doubles with her partner, first-year player Mary Dorman of Holden, Mass. The Bobcats defeated Connecticut College, 8-1, on Sept. 25, as Russo cruised to a 6-0, 6-1 win. Bates lost to Wesleyan University Sept. 27, 7-2, but Russo helped score both Bobcat points, winning 6-2, 7-6, in singles and pairing with Dorman for an 8-3 doubles victory.

Brunero is a 1996 graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School. He is the son of John and Angela Brunero, West Warwick, R.I.

Russo is a 1997 graduate of The Hun School. She is the daughter of Richard and Donna Russo, Titusville, N.J.

Dorman is a 1998 graduate of Wachusett Regional High School. She is the daughter of Harry and Jo Dorman, Holden, Mass. - 30-