Blog 259, 5/8/2013 - WWU Progresses to Nationals

kyleschrader
Kyle Schrader
For the second straight year, and eighth overall, the Western Washington men's team has progressed to the NCAA Division II National Championship. The Vikings finished the West/South Central Regional at the Home Course in Dupont in second place Wednesday, just a shot behind winner CSU-Monterey Bay.
The star of the show for the Vikings was undoubtedly sophomore Kyle Schrader who closed the 54-hole tournament with a six-under 66 to take medalist honors on ten-under 206.
"It was unbelievable for him (Schrader) to have his first collegiate win at regionals," said WWU coach Steve Card. "Being from that area, he had played the course a handful of times and clearly he was familiar with it."
Schrader's 66 contributed to a final round of two-under 286 for the Vikings who finished the three rounds on nine-under 855. Grand Canyon was third on 856. Colorado-Colorado Springs (fourth on 861) and CSU Stanislaus (fifth on 863) also qualified. Sonoma State's Eric Ash (T3 on 210) and Hawaii-Hilo's Dalen Yamauchi (T5 on 211) will also tee it up at Nationals by virtue of finishing as the top two individuals on non-qualifying teams.
The best-placed Viking behind Schrader was Dylan Goodwin who tied for 20th on level-par 216. Mark Strickland was T25 a shot further back, Jake Webb had a disappointing week tieing for 70th on 224, and Evan Needham came in tied for 78th on 226.
"It was mission accomplished," Card said. "It would have been nice to have won, but our main goal was to advance. This team just keeps getting better and better, and this was another solid outing for us."
The 54-hole tournament was one of four regionals taking place across the country. The South Central/West hosts were the Great Northwest Athletic Conference along with WWU and Saint Martin's. The National Championship will be played at the Hershey Country Club in Hershey, Penn., May 20-24.
Results here.

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