Huskers Set Sights on 2004-05

The Nebraska men's golf team recently completed its 2003-04 campaign at the Big 12 Championships in Hutchinson, Kan. Although Nebraska had a disappointing 12th-place finish at the conference meet, the Huskers had a solid run during the spring season.

Before the Big 12 Championships, Nebraska had a run of three consecutive top-two finishes from late March to mid-April. The Huskers won the Pepsi-Cola Invitational on March 27-28 in Tanglewood, Texas, their first tournament team title in two seasons. The Huskers followed with a second-place finish at the Branson Creek Invitational. Nebraska then posted its best round of the spring with a 288 in the second round of the ASU Indian Classic to jump from 11th place to a tie for second.

Individually, Nebraska was paced during the 2004-05 season by senior J.J. Sullivan, who finished with a team-best 75.08 stroke average. Sullivan had six top-20 finishes during his final season as a Husker, including a tie for seventh at the Branson Creek Invitational. A pair of true freshmen were next on Nebraska's stroke average charts. Tom Bethel saw limited action during the fall, but became one of Nebraska's top performers in the spring with five consecutive finishes of 16th or higher. Brady Schnell did not compete for Nebraska at the Big 12 Championships, but had a strong rookie season, averaging 75.52 strokes per round and four top-20 finishes.

Big 12 Championships Recap
Nebraska finished in 12th place at the Big 12 Championships on April 26-27 at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan. The Huskers finished three rounds of play with a 926 team total, six shots behind Missouri, who finished in 11th place. The Huskers fell off the pace with a first-round 314, and were unable to move up despite a 299 in the second round. Nebraska fired a 313 in the final round.

Sophomore Judd Cornell was Nebraska's top individual finisher with a tie for 20th place at 224. Cornell put together three solid rounds, posting a pair of 75s on the first day and a 74 in the final round. Sullivan tied for 45th with a 230 total, followed by Bethel who tied for 52nd with a 234 total.

A Look Ahead to 2004-05
Nebraska fielded a youthful team in 2003-04, and Coach Bill Spangler hopes the experienced his squad gained this season will pay dividends during the 2004-05 campaign. Nebraska lost a pair of fifth-year seniors in Sullivan and Lincoln native Chris Hartwig, a regular starter for most of this season.

Nebraska does return four players who saw extensive action in the starting lineup throughout the season. Cornell will be expected to take over as the team leader in 2004-05. The Millard West graduate has been a regular starter each of the past seasons and was one of three Huskers in the starting five for all 13 tournaments this season.

Bethel compiled his 75.36 stroke average over 22 rounds of play, including starting the Huskers' final four tournaments of the spring. Schnell did not compete in Nebraska's final two tournaments, but was in the starting five for Nebraska 10 times during his rookie season. Drew Reynolds started all 13 tournaments as a redshirt freshman this season and compiled a 76.58 stroke average with three top-20 finishes. Also returning for 2004-05 is Kent Schreiner, a walk-on from Ogallala who competed in two tournaments this spring and had a 76.5 stroke average. Ryan Lenahan will also return after redshirting during the 2003-04 season.

Spangler has added an impressive group of players during the fall signing period. Chris Bruening is one of the top junior players in the state of Nebraska andwill join the Husker program from Norfolk High School. Tyler Bishop (Longmont, Colo.), Geoff Mead (Rapid City, S.D.) and Brooks Blackmer (Magrath, Alberta, Canada), also bring top credentials to Lincoln and will push for playing time next seasons.