March 27, 2012
Complete Results
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ari. - Western Washington University had three players place among the top seven in medalist play as the Vikings finished second among 20 teams at the Grand Canyon University Thunderbird Spring Invitational which ended Tuesday at the Wigwam Red (Heritage) Golf Course.
The Vikings, ranked No.10 in the latest Golf Coaches Association of America/NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll, shot a final-round 4-under par 284 for a 54-hole total of 15-under 849. They were nine shots behind champion and No.3-rated Cal State Stanislaus, which finished 24-under par at 840 after shooting 278, the best round of the tournament.
WWU's Nick Varelia (Sr., Kent/Kentwood) tied for third in the medalist standings at 209 (72) with teammates Craig Crawford (So., Stanwood/Highland Christian) (72) and Dylan Goodwin (Jr., Mukilteo/Kamiak) (69) in a five-way tie for seventh at 211.
"We've shown signs of improvement in terms of competitiveness," said WWU coach Steve Card (19th year). "We need to work on that the rest of the spring and peak at regionals."
The Vikings' Jake Webb (Jr., Issaquah/Skyline) tied for 45th at 221 (71) and Mark Strickland (R-Fr., Mukilteo/Kamiak) tied for 51st at 222 (75).
Tying for medalist honors at 9-under 207 were Trevor Blair (69) from Cal State Stanislaus and Eddie DeLashmutt (69) from Colorado-Colorado Springs.
WWU next travels to Miami Beach, Florida, to compete in the Barry University Invitational on April 2-3 at the Normandy Shores Golf Course.
