RAMS RISE TO THIRD AT UST
March 17, 2008

FORT WORTH, TX:  The Texas Wesleyan University men’s golf posted a final round of 292 to leapfrog two schools on their way to a third place finish in a power-packed field at their UST Texas Intercollegiate at Hawks Creek Golf Club on Tuesday.

The field of eleven teams features six squads ranked in the NAIA’s top-25, including top ranked Oklahoma Christian Univeristy, third ranked Oklahoma City University, the fifth ranked Rams, #10 Wayland Baptist University, #19 Northwood University, and #24 Southern Nazarene University.

Paco Saracho led Tuesday’s charge.  The junior from Guadalajara, Mexico, followed a first round 74, with a second round 70 to finish fourth at 144 for the tournament.  Mitch Hendon and Armando Villarreal tied for fifth at 145 after posting scores of 72 and 74 respectively in the second round.  Kevin Doskocil and Carlos Arenas tied for 37th (156) with final round scores of 77 and 76.

Oklahoma City’s Julian Valenciana shot 69 on both days to win the individual title at 132 while leading his stars to the team title.  Oklahoma City shot 290, 290-580 for the tournament.  Southern Nazarene finished second, narrowly clipping the Rams with scores of 291, 297-588.

Texas Wesleyan’s Gold team moved from tenth to seventh with a final round of 301.  Drew Koonce (T20) and Stuart Martin (T23) led the way with overall scores of 151 and 152 respectively.

“We had three guys in the top-five today, and that’s encouraging,” commented head coach Kevin Millikan.  “Now we just need to find a way to put up a team score.  We will start over next week and have another chance to do that.”

Texas Wesleyan will take part in Oklahoma Christian University’s Sleep Inn & Suites Classic March 24-25.  That tournament will be held at River Oaks Golf Course in Edmond, OK.

Fin. Player               Scores

4th  Paco Saracho         74  70  144

T5   Mitch Hendon         73  72  145

T5   Armando Villarreal   71  74  145

T37  Kevin Doskocil       79  77  156

T37  Carlos Arenas        80  76  156

3rd  Texas Wesleyan       297 292 589

Fin. Player               Scores

T20  Drew Koonce          75  76  151

T23  Stuart Martin        76  76  152

T33  Johnathon Dickerson  80  75  155

T42  Michael Clements     83  74  157

50th Cory Judge           80  80  160

T57  Zach Growcock*       87  77  164

     Austyn Smith*        DQ  81

10th Texas Wesleyan Gold  311 301 612

*Played as an Individual