Indiana University Athletics
Overton, Hoosiers Inch Closer to Big Ten Titles
5/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
After matching the course record on Friday afternoon, senior Jeff Overton was at it again on Saturday. The All-American carded a second consecutive 7-under-par 65 for a two-round 130 total, matching the lowest 36-hole tally in Big Ten Championship history (Ben Walter, Wisconsin, 1994). More importantly, Overton leads the Championships by three shots over Ryan Brehm of Michigan State and is looking to become the Cream and Crimson's first Big Ten champion since Shaun Micheel in 1991. Brehm also matched the University Ridge record with a 65 on the second 18 and fired a 68 in the opening round.
I've been really motivated and playing really well," said Overton. "I feel comfortable with my putter and when you hit a lot of greens, you are bound to make some putts. Heading into the final round, I'm going to give it 100 percent. I'm not going to let anything bother me, and I'll be as motivated as possible. I feel like if I can go out and do that, and if our team can go out and do that, we'll be able to walk away with a victory."
The Evansville, Ind., native carved the course up with seven birdies and no bogeys. Overton recorded four birdies on the frontside and three on the back 18 and has corralled 15 birdies in 36 holes with only one bogey. Additionally, his score of 130 tied his Indiana record, which he set at the 2003 Xavier Invitational.
Right behind Overton in a tie for fourth place is junior Scott Seibert. On the heels of a first-round 71, Seibert claimed a 4-under 68 on day two, good for a 139. His total eclipsed his old 36-hole personal best of 142, which he shot at the 2004 Xavier Invitational. Seibert garnered five birdies and one bogey in his round, including a 3-under-par 33 on the front 18.
It was another sold round (for me)," said Seibert. "I got off to another good start, and I had a good front nine. I really had a good finish and didn't cough up any strokes at the end. I just expect to come out tomorrow and have another good start and play a solid round and see where that takes me."
Bouncing back from a 76 on the opening day of the tournament, senior Heath Peters posted the third-best Hoosier score of the day with a 2-under-par 70. The Garrett, Ind., product is now in a tie for 22nd place with 146. Peters shot a 34 on the opening nine holes and battled to an even-par 36 coming in.
Along with Peters, freshman Santiago Quirarte and sophomore Aaron Harrell are in the logjam at 146. Quirarte birdied two of his final three holes to post an even-par 72 on the heels of a 74 in round one. Meanwhile, Harrell netted a 73 for the second straight day.
It was an unbelievable effort from our guys today, just unbelievable," said Indiana head coach Mike Mayer. "Scott Seibert gave us the boost we needed with a brilliant round, and Jeff Overton, there is nothing else I can say about Jeff. He has played an incredible two rounds. You also have to commend Michigan State on an outstanding round today. We are going to get ready and have another great effort tomorrow. I think we'll be up for the challenge."
The Hoosiers search for their ninth Big Ten Championship in the final round of the event Sunday morning, with teams teeing off from holes 1 and 10 at 8 a.m.
IU Individual
1) Jeff Overton 130 (65-65)
T4) Scott Seibert 139 (71-68)
T22) Aaron Harrell 146 (73-73)
T22) Santiago Quirarte 146 (74-72)
T22) Heath Peters 146 (76-70)
Team Scores
T1) INDIANA 558 (283-275)
T1) Michigan State 558 (282-276)
3) Minnesota 568 (285-283)
T4) Northwestern 574 (294-280)
T4) Purdue 574 (292-282)
T6) Ohio State 584 (290-294)
T6) Michigan 584 (298-286)
T8) Iowa 585 (296-289)
T8) Wisconsin 585 (292-293)
10) Penn State 586 (296-290)
11) Illinois 595 (300-295)
