FERRIS STATE EARNS SECOND STRAIGHT TRIP TO NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS

With two of the top four individual finishers, Ferris State captured first-place honors at the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional in Bolivar, Mo., with a three-round 895 (296-302-297) score to finish +31 over par.

By virtue of claiming the regional crown, the Bulldogs will automatically advance for the second consecutive season to the NCAA-II National Championships, which will be held May 20-23 at the Sunriver Resort's Crosswater Golf Club in Sunriver, Ore. The championship finals will be hosted by California State University, Chico. Last season, Ferris finished 13th of 18 teams at the 2002 NCAA-II National Championships with a 72-hole 1,238 score at the Mission Inn Golf and Tennis Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

Senior Tyler Averdick paced the Bulldogs by claiming a tie for second-place individual honors.

Ferris State maintained its hold on first place throughout the three rounds as the Bulldogs finished seven strokes in front of second-place Findlay's 902 score on the Par 72, 6,840-yard Silo Ridge Country Club course.

Leading the way for Ferris State was senior Tyler Averdick, who finished in a two-way tie for second place with a 219 score (71-77-71--219, +3). Senior Chris Griffin shot 220 (71-75-74--220, +4) to claim fourth place as Gannon's Dave Patronik recorded top medalist honors with a first-place 218 total (+2).

Senior Mitch Flemming's 226 score (75-74-77--226, +10) was good enough for a 10th-place tie while sophomore Aaron Brown carded a 231 (79-77-75--231, +14) to tie with three others for 20th place. Junior Pat Simmer finished tied for 24th with a 15-over 232 (79-76-77--232).

2003 NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Results
1. Ferris State (895, +31)
2. Findlay (902, +38)
3. Northwood (908, +44)
4. Bellarmine (913, +49)
5. Lewis (916, +52)
6. Grand Valley State (919, +55)
7. Northern Kentucky (929, +65)
8. Indianapolis (933, +69)