June 3, 1999

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke junior midfielder/back Courtney Sommer (Tulsa, Okla.) was named as an alternate on the United States Field Hockey Squad that will be participating in the 1999 Pan-Am Games in Winnipeg, Canada, beginning July 24.

Last season, Sommer earned AstroTurf/National Field Hockey Coaches Associations (NFHCA) Third Team All-America honors and was one of four Blue Devil players to start all in 20 contests. She registered nine assists, five shots on goal and two defensive saves in 1998.

She was named an alternate after completing a two-week session in May at the teams Olympic Training Center in San Diego. Sommer was initially made the squad following a two-week training period in March.

"Pleasantly suprised" was Sommers reaction to being picked for the team after what she considered a sub-par performance in March after bout with mononucleosis.

"I was appreciative of (national team coach) Tracey Belbin because she knew I was sick and was giving me a chance even though I wasnt at my peak," said Sommer.

In April, Sommer was part of a 18-member squad that traveled to Barcelona, Spain for four practice matches against the Spainsh National Team. Against Spain, the United States recorded a 1-1-2 mark.

Prior to the Pan-Am Games, the national team will participate in a four-team tournament in Vancouver, Canada, featuring host Canada, Japan and Scotland.