Golf team takes fifth at regional tournament

J.P. Wertz shot a 2-over par 74 as the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs shot a final-round score of 307 Wednesday to finish the NCAA Division II Northwest Golf Regional at Bellingham, Wash., in a tie for fifth place.

St. Cloud State shot a 306 Wednesday to win the tournament with a three-round score of 900. The Huskies will advance to the national championship in Orlando, Fla., on May 12-15. Fort Lewis, South Dakota State and Minnesota State finished in a three-way tie for second, nine strokes back. CU-Colorado Springs and Nebraska-Kearney were 15 strokes off the pace.

Chase Wortmann, who shot 3-over par 75 Wednesday, was the Mountain Lionsâ€^TM top individual finisher with a three-round score of 227. He tied for 14th overall.

Nick Van Etten slipped in the final round after ending the second round in a tie for second place. Van Etten shot an 81 Wednesday to slip to 17th individually.

Mark Ruybalid, who shot a 77 Wednesday, was CU-Colorado Springsâ€^TM most consistent player. He scored 76-77-77 to finish 20th overall. Trent Daum, who shot an 81 Wednesday, was fourth among CU-Colorado Springs golfers at 237 while Wertz finished at 240.

The Mountain Lions won the Northwest Regional in both 2002 and 2003.