Oct. 14, 2012
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -
Penn State improved its overall team ranking by two positions today, finishing 10th out of 13 teams at the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate at Blackthorn Club. The Nittany Lions shot their best round on day three, scoring a 289 to make their final tally an 879 after 54 holes of play.
Coach Greg Nye was proud of his team's performance this weekend given the stiff competition. "The quality of field this week was outstanding. Many of these teams have played this event before which gave them a significant advantage."
Sophomore Jens Talbert (Little Rock, Ark.) shot a career-low round of 69 today, making five birdies in this 3-under-par notch. Talbert's 1-under-par total mark of 215 (73-73-69) earned him a tied-for-11th place finish among all individuals. Freshman Geoff Vartelas (Cromwell, Conn.) finished tied for 37th, shooting a solid 220 after three rounds.
Senior Anthony DeGol (Hollidaysburg, Pa.) shot a par round 72 today, improving his rank on the individual leader board by nine places to tying for 42nd. DeGol's 221 showing included 6 birdies at the Blackthorn Club in Johnson City, Tenn. Senior Jay Woodward (Bridgeport, W. Va.) shot his tournament-best round on the last day, with a 1-over-par 73. Woodward finished tied for 63rd overall.
Although senior Matthew Porter (Cortland N.Y.) withdrew from round two of the tournament, he marked a 75 and 82 in rounds one and three, respectively.
Coach Greg Nye praised his team's ability to fight through injuries in the third round of the tournament. "Two of our guys, Matt [Porter] and Anthony [DeGol], elected to play through painful nagging injuries in round three. Our final round was truly to be admired for how low it was under the circumstances we faced today."
Missouri won the tournament crown, edging Tennessee by just one stroke with a 7-under-par total score of 857. Grant Milner never let go of his lead through all three rounds of play, finishing first on the individual leader board with a 10-under-par 206 through 54 holes.
The Nittany Lions will continue their 2012-13 season at the Georgetown Intercollegiate in Beallsville, Md. Oct 22-23.