Feb. 11, 2003

CYPRESS, Texas - The Kansas State men's golf team continued its season trend of solid final rounds, as the Wildcats moved three spots up the leaderboard Tuesday to tie for sixth at the Rice Intercollegiate. The Wildcats posted a total of 308-297-299=904 at the Black Horse Golf Club's par-72, 7,075-yard North Course. K-State finished strong at tournaments during the fall season as well, posting its best round on the final day in four out of six tournaments, which helped the ÔCats improve or maintain their position on the leaderboard on the final day in all six fall events.

Leading the way for the Wildcats was a pair of Arizona natives. Junior co-captain Aaron Watkins struggled during the first day of play, but carded a 1-over-par 73 during the final round to tie for 22nd with a 77-76-73=226. Freshman Ben Kern, making his NCAA debut at the Rice event, posted a 79-73-74=904 to share 22nd place with Watkins. One stroke behind the duo was freshman Josh Persons, who tied for 25th at 78-73-76=227.

Also competing for K-State was junior Greg Douglas, who posted a 74-77-77=228 to tie for 31st, and sophomore Jonathan James shot a 81-75-76 to tie for 47th with a 81-75-76=232. Sophomore Matt Van Cleave, K-State's individual entry, tied for 31st with a 228.

Led by individual medalist Scott Harrington, Northwestern coasted to the team championship. The Wildcats completed their third steady round of the tournament with a six-over-par 294 to give them a team total of 1-over-par 865. Harrington posted a 68-68-73=209 to hold on and win the individual title by one stroke over Missouri's Chris Happ, who shot a 79-68-72=210.

The K-State men's golf team will be back in action when they return to Texas for the UTSA Intercollegiate, hosted by the University of Texas-San Antonio at the Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 24-25. For complete results of the Rice Intercollegiate, please visit www.riceowls.com

Team Scores: 1. Northwestern 865. 2. North Texas 883. 3. Missouri 894. 4. Coastal Carolina 897. 5. San Diego 898. T6. Kansas State 904. T6. Mississippi State 904. 8. Texas-Arlington 905. 9. Virginia 908. 10 Rice 909. 11. Texas-San Antonio 919. Louisiana-Lafayette 921. Tennessee 930.

Top Individuals: 1. Scott Harrington, Northwestern, 209. 2. Chris Happ, Missouri, 210. 3. Tom Johnson, Northwestern, 216. T4. Alvero Valesco, Coastal Carolina, 218. T4. Brandon Knaub, Missouri, 218. T4. Brad Tilley, Virginia, 218.

Wildcat Individuals: T22. Aaron Watkins 226. T22. Ben Kern 226. T25. Josh Persons 227. T31. Greg Douglas 228. T31. Matt Van Cleave 228. T47. Jonathan James 232.

* Competed as an individual