Blue Raiders take second in Utah to open spring

Tuesday, February 12

St. George, UT

All Day

Middle Tennessee

Pat Hicks Thunderbird Invitational

2/12/2019 6:23:00 PM | Men's Golf

Final Results

Sears, Owens finish in Top 3

By: @MTAthletics

ST. GEORGE, Utah – Middle Tennessee made a run at its first title of the season Tuesday but came up just a stroke short, finishing in second at 3-under par (284-289=573) at the 36-hole Pat Hicks Invitational.

The Blue Raiders entered the second and final round two strokes back of Northern Colorado and turned in a 1-over par 289 on the second day, not quite enough to overcome the Bears at Sunbrook Golf Club, but did get some hardware out of individual co-champion Cooper Sears.

"I'm really happy for Cooper," Head Coach Mark McEntire said. "What a great way to start his career for us. He played solid down the stretch and made a clutch birdie on 17 to finish strong."

Sears turned in his second consecutive 3-under par 69 to finish at 6-under (69-69=138) and earn a share of the individual title with host team Southern Utah's Jake Vincent, a feat made more impressive by the fact that the Vanderbilt transfer was playing in his first tournament as a Blue Raider.

"It means everything to win my first collegiate event of the year, never less in the first event of the spring for myself and our team," Sears stated. "We have been working so hard this offseason to get to this point and it was tough to see the team come up one stroke short of winning the tournament, however, it feels amazing to come out victorious in my first tournament as a Blue Raider.

"Words can not suffice this feeling. This is a great stepping stone for myself as an individual as well as a team effort. I believe we are now well prepared for our next tournament in Puerto Rico with one of the best fields in men's collegiate golf."

Just behind Sears was junior Tanner Owens, who matched the former's 3-under 69 on day two to finish at 5-under par (70-69=139) for the tournament in third place.

"Tanner finished with yet another solid tournament," McEntire added. "His 69 today was a fantastic score and he continues to deliver for us every week."

Freshman Palmer Sadlowski earned a Top 20 finish with a 2-over par 146 (71-75) placing him in a tie for 18^th.

Seniors James Beckner and Marcus Byrd rounded out the scores in the Blue Raider lineup, each carding a 4-over 76 Tuesday to finish tied for 25^th at 8-over (74-76=15) and tied for 37^th at 11-over (77-76=153), respectively.

"On the team front I am disappointed that we did not get the scores from our seniors," McEntire stated. "I know that James and Marcus have been fixtures in our lineup and they just didn't have it this week. All in all though I'm happy with the start to the spring."

Freshman Jake Marvelli, playing as in individual, shot an 8-over 80 for the second day in a row and finished tied for 54^th in the field.

The Blue Raiders have a quick turnaround following the Thunderbird Invitational as they tee off Sunday in the Puerto Rico Classic at Rio Mar Country Club.