March 20, 2007

AVON, Ind. - Cleveland State easily outdistanced Oakland to claim the Butler Spring Invitational on Tuesday. Sophomore Jake Scott finished first to lead a contingent of five Vikings in the top 20. The medalist honor was the first of the Strongsville native's career. The eight-team event was held at the par 72, 6,885 yard Prestwick Country Club.

The Vikings shot consecutive six-over par rounds of 294 to finish at 588 -- 14 strokes clear of runner-up Oakland. Cincinnati was in third place at 606. The victory was the first for first-year head coach Brian Varsey and the team's third title in the last two seasons.

Scott fired back-to-back even par rounds of 72 to finish two shots ahead of Oakland's Frank McAuliff. Freshman teammate Kyle Cobb was in third-place tie at 147 after closing with a 71 on Tuesday. The pair were joined by junior Doug Barber (6th-148) and senior Ben Grandy (T7th-149) in the top 10, while freshman Patrick Elber was tied for 18th at 154.

"The guys did a nice job of sticking to their routines and playing solid in breezy conditions," Varsey said. "It's a great feeling and a good confidence-builder this early in the spring."

The Vikings are off for two weeks before taking part in the Marshall Invitational on April 6-7.

Team Results
1. Cleveland State 588
2. Oakland 602
3. Cincinnati 606
4. UW-Green Bay 607
5. Butler 616
6. IUPUI 620
7. IPFW 633
8. Robert Morris 653

Individual Leaders
1. Jake Scott, Cleveland State 144
2. Frank McAuliffe, Oakland 146
3. Kyle Cobb, Cleveland State 147
3. Patrick Kelley, IPFW 147
3. Garrett Gosh, UW-Green Bay 147