EMPORIA, Kan. Kyle Smell, a incoming freshman for the 2007-08 season, took home the Kansas Junior Amateur title on Thursday as he fired a 5-under par 208 at the par 71 Emporia Municipal Golf Course. Smell’s win marks the second-consecutive year a K-State incoming freshman won the junior amateur, as sophomore-to-be Jason Schulte won the event in 2006.

Smell, who placed second in the event the previous two years including a runner-up finish to Schulte in 2006 was able to hold off Ben Fitzpatrick’s 3-under par 210. Smell and Fitzpatrick were the only two golfers in the field of 77 to shoot below par.

“The third year’s a charm,” Smell told The Hutchinson News. “It’s a relief. Going into this tournament, I just wanted to shoot low and see where that got me.”

For more information on the Kansas Junior Amateur, visit the Kansas Golf Association’s website at www.kansasgolf.org.