Sept. 20, 2009

Colorado Springs, Colo. - Austin Hurt was the top finisher for the Cougars at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational Sunday, held at the 7,301-yard, par-72 Eisenhower Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Hurt moved up eight spots in the final round to earn a second place finish individually. The senior knocked off a stroke in each round he played. His final round 69 (-3) was the fourth-lowest score of the day in the 108-man field. The tournament notches Hurt's first top-10 finish of the season, along with his second consecutive top-25 finish.

"Austin did great today in the wind, it was tough out there," said head coach Walt Williams.

Fellow senior Kevin Tucker finished in a tie for 20th coming off a victory at Palouse Ridge earlier in the week. His final-round 73 (+1) gave him a total of 217 (+1) for the tournament. The event marked Tucker's second top-25 finish of the season, and the 18th of his career.

The pair led the team to a fourth place finish, slipping one spot during the final day of the 19-team event.

"We played well in a field that featured seven post-season teams from last year," said Williams.

Sophomore Trent Sanders posted a tournament-total of 220 (+4), finishing just outside the top 25.

Junior Nick Ellis and freshman Hank Frame completed the Cougar lineup. Ellis tallied a three-round total of 222 while Frame finished a stroke behind at 223.

The WSU has a week off before they compete again on Monday, Sept. 28, at the Northwest Collegiate Classic in Corvallis, Ore.

Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational

Eisenhower Golf Club; Colorado Springs, Colo.

Par-72; 7,301 yards

Final Results

WSU Results: 2. Austin Hurt (71-70-69--210, -6); T20. Kevin Tucker (74-70-73--217, +1); T36. Trent Sanders (72-70-78--220, +3); T47. Nick Ellis (72-73-77--222, +5); T50. Hank Frame (70-75-78--223, +6).

Team Results:1 Colorado State (855, -9); 2. Utah (857, -7); 3. UNLV (860, -4); T4. Washington State (865, +1); T4.Wyoming (865, +1); T6. Nevada (866, +2); T6. Air Force (866, +2); 8. Northern Colorado (867, +3); 9. Colorado (871, +7); 10. San Diego (876, +12); 11. Colorado-CO Springs (887, +23); T12. Southern Utah (893, +29); T12. Air Force Silver (893, +29); T14. Denver (894, +30); T14. Northern Iowa (894, +30); 16. Weber State (895, +31); 17. UAB (900, +36); 18. Utah State (905, +41); 19. Utah Valley (920, +56).

Top Five Individuals: T1. Steve Bidne, N.Colorado (68-69--137, -7); 2. Austin Hurt, Wash. St. (71-70-69--210, -6); T3. Tom Whitney, Air Force (72-71-68--211, -5); T3. Espen Kofstad, Denver (71-67-73--211, -5); T3. Mike Branca, Utah (65-72-74--211, -5); T3. Zahkai Brown, Col. St. (69-71-71--211, -5).