March 25, 2002

STEVINSON, Calif. - A week of spring practice in California proved to be beneficial for the Kansas State men's golf team as it started strong at the Stevinson Ranch Invitational hosted by the University of Colorado. The Wildcats shot a two-round total of 576 (286-290) to sit in fourth place at the 6,646-yard, par-72 Stevinson Ranch Golf Club. The Cats currently stand ahead of top-50 teams Colorado (#34), California (#46), and Pacific (#47).

Sophomore A.J. Elgert led the way for the Cats, shooting a career-best 67 en route to a two-round total of 4-under-par 140 (67-73) tie for third place with Arkansas State's Adam Rauth. Sophomore Aaron Watkins joined Elgert in the top 20, posting a 1-over-par total of 145 (73-72) to tie for 17th. Senior Matt Williams tied for 28th with 2-over-par 146, and senior Bryan Milberger tied for 42nd with a 5-over-par 149. Junior Daryn Soldan competed in his first tournament for the Wildcats in the 2001-02 season and tied for 73rd with a 157.

Missouri lead the field for the day, posting a team total of 11-under-par 565 to claim a 5-stroke lead over Kansas, who sits in second at 570. Missouri's Mark McBride and Kansas's Casey Harbour are tied for the individual lead at 7-under-par 137.

The final 18 holes of the Stevinson Ranch Invitational will begin tomorrow with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.

For complete results of the Stevinson Ranch Invitational, visit the Univeristy of Colorado's website at www.cubuffs.com.

Team Results: 1. Missouri 281-284=565 2. Kansas 287-283=570 3. CSU-Stanlislaus 282-293=575 4. Kansas State 286-290=576 5. Arkansas State 288-290=578 6. SW Missouri State 293-288=581 7. California 291-296=587 T8. Pacific 300-289=589 T8. Colorado 298-291=589 T10. Drake 296-295=591 T10. Illinois State 296-295=591 12. Northern Iowa 301-297=598 13. Air Force 300-300=600 14. Nebraska 301-300=601 15. Iowa State 307-296=603 16. Weber State 305-300=605

Top 10 Individuals: T1. Mark McBride (MU) 66-71=137 T1. Casey Harbour (KU) 69-68=137 T3. Adam Rauth (ASU) 70-70=140 T3. A.J. Elgert (KSU) 67-73=140 T5. Chris Marshall (KU) 72-69=141 T5. Brandon Knaub (MU) 73-68=141 T5. Joe Liley (CU) 71-70=141 T8. David Jenkins (SWMU) 76-66=142 T8. Ben Portie (CU) 73-68=142 T8. Bill Sutt (CSU-Stanis) 71-71=142 T8. Travis Hurst (KU) 70-72=142

Kansas State Individuals: T3. A.J. Elgert 67-73=140 T17. Aaron Watkins 73-72=145 T28. Matt Williams 75-71=146 T42. Bryan Milberger 75-74=149 T73. Daryn Soldan 71-86.