Tyler Lawson, NWU golfers fifth at NCAA Division III Championships

Lonnie Lawson The Nebraska Wesleyan men's golf team placed fifth at the National Golf Tournament May 9-12 at Howie-in-the-Hills, Fla. From left: Jeff Holm, Travis Davis, Jon Deines, Tyler Lawson (McCook freshman), Aaron Stockton, NWU athletic director Ira Zeff and head coach Brett Balak.

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. -- The Nebraska Wesleyan men's golf team had its best national finish Thursday, taking fifth place at the NCAA Division III Championships in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla.

McCook freshman Tyler Lawson posted a four-day score of 308 for NWU, including three 76s. He tied for 34th place.

Wesleyan, which led the tournament after the first day had the fourth-best score of the final round, shooting 300 for a four-day total of 1211.

Guilford College, which is in Greensboro, N.C. won with a 1174 score.

Wesleyan's previous best finish was a tie for fifth in 1994.

"We battled back after the 313 (in the second round)," said Prairie Wolves coach Brett Balak. "They came back really well the last two days."

"They had a good tournament. Guilford just blew everybody out of the water."

Travis Davis, a junior from Lincoln High, was the top finisher for the Prairie Wolves. He tied for sixth with a 7-over-par 293 total. He shot a 3-over 75 on Thursday.

Guilford's Colin Clark won the individual title at 2-over 290.

Wesleyan sophmore Aaron Stockton tied for 12th at 299. Stockton shot a final-round 74

Davis said the young Wolves have plenty of reasons to be excited about the 2005-06 season. For one thing, next year's national tournament will be at Firethorn Golf Club.

"We don't lose anyone next year," Davis said, "and (the national tournament) is at home, so we're feeling pretty good."

Wesleyan's four-day final scores

T6. Travis Davis 71-77-72-75

T12. Aaron Stockton 74-76-75-74

T34 Tyler Lawson 76-80-76-76

T57 Jeff Holm 81-80-75-77

T81 Jon Deines 79-85-81-75