Indiana University Athletics
Overton Second, Hoosiers Fifth at Notre Dame
9/19/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Senior Jeff Overton fired a final-round 66 and tied for second, as the Indiana men's golf team finished fifth at the Notre Dame Invitational/NCAA Central Regional Preview. The Hoosiers finished with 890 (304-294-292), two shots behind third-place Texas Tech and one shot behind Colorado.
Kent State earned the championship at 871 (287-293-291), picking up a two-shot victory over second-place Michigan State.
"There was a lot of improvement over our first event," said Indiana head coach Mike Mayer. "This was a big step in the right direction. We were a lot sharper and more focused in a much, much better field than last week. We're still not anywhere near playing to our ability, but we're moving in the right direction."
Leading the Hoosiers in that 'right direction' was Overton. After an opening-round 78, Overton showed why he is an All-American candidate in the final two rounds. The Evansville, Ind., rebounded with a 70 in round two before today's 4-under round, the lowest round in the tournament.
His 66 propelled him into second place with Michigan State's Andrew Ruthkoski (75-71-68). Ryan Yip won medalist honors with a 1-under-par 209 (68-72-69), the only golfer in the field under par.
"Jeff came back with two stellar performances, especially today. Jeff Overton is back, and that is a good thing for Indiana golf," said Mayer.
Overton carded a 66 for the third time in his career, and the score is his third-lowest career score (64, one time; 65 two times). A semifinalist at this summer's U.S. Amateur Championships, Overton now has 16 career top five's and 21 career top 10's.
Following Overton was senior Heath Peters, who tied for 23rd place. Peters closed out the weekend with 224 (72-80-72), picking up his second consecutive top 25 finish (tied for 24th at the Radrick Farms Intercollegiate, Sept. 11-12).
Brad Marek stormed back from a tough opening round with a 71 and 75 on the final two days, giving him a three-round 227 total. The junior from Arlington Heights, Ill., ended the Invitational in a tie for 35th place.
"It was nice to see Heath come back today, and Brad come back with back-to-back solid rounds. They both really helped bring us into contention," said Mayer.
Playing in his second collegiate tournament, freshman Santiago Quirarte tallied a 230 (77-74-79), finishing tied for 42nd. Rounding out the scoring, junior Scott Seibert tied for 68th after recording a 237 (77-79-81).
"Santiago and Scott showed a lot of courage. They both hung in there and did a good job," said Mayer.
The Hoosiers will return to the links on Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 27-28, at the Adams Cup in Newport, R.I.
IU Individual
T2) Jeff Overton 214 (78-70-66)
T23) Heath Peters 224 (72-80-72)
T35) Brad Marek 227 (81-71-75)
T42) Santiago Quirarte 230 (77-74-79)
T68) Scott Seibert 237 (77-79-81)
Team Scores
1) Kent State 871 (287-293-291)
2) Michigan State 873 (294-298-281)
3) Texas Tech 888 (296-297-295)
4) Colorado 889 (298-293-298)
5) INDIANA 890 (304-294-292)
6) Notre Dame 892 (299-299-294)
T7) Xavier 896 (306-294-296)
T7) Texas A&M 896 (303-298-295)
9) Northwestern 907 (309-300-298)
10) Arkansas 908 (305-312-291)
11) Tulsa 909 (311-301-297)
12) SMU 911 (321-291-299)
13) Missouri 918 (310-301-307)
14) Toledo 925 (311-312-302)
15) Iowa State 931 (310-309-312)
