Indiana University Athletics
Hoosiers Primed for Second Straight Xavier Title
10/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
October 11, 2004
LEADERBOARD
LOVELAND, Ohio - At the 2003 Xavier Invitational, the Indiana men's golf team captured its third title of the fall campaign. After 36 holes at this year's Xavier Invitational, the Hoosiers took a giant step toward back-to-back titles. IU produced record-breaking numbers with a 36-hole, 21-under-par 555 total, good for an 11-shot lead over Saint Mary's (Calif.) and a 16-shot lead over UNC-Greensboro.
The Hoosiers opened with a 7-under 281 in round one, the lowest total in the 19-team field, and came back with a brilliant 14-under 274 in round two, the lowest total in the field on the second 18. The team's 36-hole total is the lowest two-round total in the program's history.
Seniors Jeff Overton and Heath Peters led the Hoosier contingent with season-best performances. Overton carded a 65 in the first round, his lowest round this season and the second-best round of his career (third time). The All-American candidate came back with a 66 in round two, giving him a 131 total, the second-lowest 36-hole total of his career (second time), and a three-shot lead heading into the final round.
"There are not enough superlatives to describe Jeff Overton's play," said Indiana head coach Mike Mayer. "He putted great today. It was one of the best putting performances I've seen him have. He obviously loves playing in this tournament."
Overton looks for his sixth career title and back-to-back titles at the Xavier Invitational in tomorrow's final round.
Overton holds his three-shot advantage over Peters, who turned in a career-best 67 on the first 18 and followed it up with another 67 in round two, giving him a career-best 36-hole total of 134. The Garrett, Ind., native enters the final 18 looking for his second career title and holds a one-shot advantage over Garrett Jones of Wisconsin. Peters captured medalist honors at the 2003 Johnny Owens Invitational.
"Heath really hit the ball well. He finished birdie-birdie and put himself in position to win this tournament. Heath really stepped forward with two huge rounds today," said Mayer.
The redhot play didn't stop with Overton and Peters, freshman Santiago Quirarte fired a 68 in round two, the lowest round by a freshman since Overton's 66 at the 2002 FirstEnergy Intercollegiate. Coupled with a 74 in round one, Quirarte is tied for 14th place with 143.
"Santiago's round is huge for a freshman. It is a big, big thing for Santiago, and it gave this team a big boost. You could see the round coming the way Santiago has been playing recently, and he came up huge today.
In addition to the Hoosiers top trio, junior Brad Marek turned in a solid performance with rounds of 74 and 73. The Arlington Heights, Ill., native sits in a tie for 40th at 147.
Rounding out the Hoosier lineup, junior Aaron Walters finds himself tied for 70th at 152 (77-75).
Playing as an individual, junior Scott Seibert positioned himself to make a run at his second career top 10. The Chesterfield, Mo., product is tied for seventh place with a career-best 36-hole total of 142 (72-70). Seibert's second-round 70 matched his second-lowest 18-hole mark (2004 Big Ten Championships).
"Scott is right up there with the leaders after 36 strong holes. It was a good performance for Scott, and it shows how much depth we really have," said Mayer.
Indiana looks for its first title of the 2004-05 campaign and its fifth title in the last two years, while Overton and Peters battle for medalist honors in the final round of the Invitational on Tuesday. Tee times are slated for 8 a.m. EDT.
"Tomorrow, we know what we have to do," said Mayer. "There are a lot of good golf teams in this tournament. We just have to come out and have the lowest round of the day. I've challenged these guys to fire the lowest round in the field and bring home a championship."
IU Individual
1) Jeff Overton 131 (65-66)
2) Heath Peters 134 (67-67)
*T7) Scott Seibert 142 (72-70)
T14) Santiago Quirarte 143 (75-68)
T43) Brad Marek 147 (74-73)
T70) Aaron Walters 152 (77-75)
*-played as individual
Team Scores
1) INDIANA 555 (281-274)
2) Saint Mary's (Calif.) 566 (287-279)
3) UNC-Greensboro 571 (291-280)
4) Wisconsin 573 (292-281)
5) Ball State 574 (295-279)
6) Marquette 578 (292-286)
7) Xavier 579 (290-289)
8) Davidson 580 (286-294)
9) Louisville 581 (301-280)
10) Eastern Kentucky 585 (303-282)
11) Marshall 591 (302-289)
12) Georgetown 592 (290-302)
T13) Nebraska 593 (300-293)
T13) Bowling Green 593 (298-295)
15) Wright State 595 (305-290)
T16) Eastern Michigan 604 (304-300)
T16) Western Kentucky 604 (310-294)
T18) Richmond 607 (306-301)
T18) Akron 607 (309-298)
