Oklahomas Welch Out For Season

University of Oklahoma 5-9 sophomore guard Chelsi Welch (Plainview, Texas/Plainview HS) has been sideline for the 2003-04 women's basketball season due to suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to her left knee Friday, as announced by head coach Sherri Coale. The injury occurred near the end of practice.

Welch, 2003 co-Big 12 Freshman of the Year and All-Big 12 second teamer, will undergo surgery at a later day. In Oklahoma's first exhibition game against Sparta Praha, she scored six points, grabbed three rebounds while playing just 13 minutes.

"This is a disappointing situation for Chelsi," said Coale. "It's such a difficult thing when you know she worked extremely hard in the off season and was looking forward to competing this year. We're all extremely disappointed in losing Chelsi but we'll support her in every step of her rehab. Our main concern for Chelsi is getting her healthy."

As a freshman, she collected numerous all-conference honors and was a Freshman All-America honorable mention pick by www.womenscollegehoops.com. She was one of 12 players on the Big 12 All-Star team that represented the United States at the 2003 World University Games in South Korea.

Welch averaged 12.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for OU last season. She also shot 80.0 percent from the free throw line and 35.3 percent from the field.

Due to federal (HIPPA) legislation concerning patient confidentiality records and release of information, this is the extent of information to be released at this time concerning Welch's injury.

The Sooners, who are ranked 21st in the AP and USA Today/WBCA Coaches polls, conclude their exhibition schedule Tuesday, Nov. 18 against Oklahoma Christian at 7 p.m. inside the Lloyd Noble Center.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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