Huskers Win First Tournament in Four Years at Jackrabbit Invitational

Primm, Nev. - A nearly four-year drought without winning a tournament ended for the Nebraska men's golf team on Tuesday, fittingly, in the desert. Led by Brandon Crick's individual title, the Huskers rolled to an 860 (-4) team score and a 15-stroke victory at the inaugural Jackrabbit Invitational, hosted by South Dakota State at Primm Valley Golf Club.

The Huskers, whose last tournament win came April 4, 2006 at the Branson Creek Invitational, entered Tuesday's final round leading by nine strokes and added to that, thanks in part to strong play from Crick, Mike Coatman and Brett Nymeyer. The three combined to go 13-under par on the day.

Crick ran away with the individual title, winning by five strokes after shooting a final-round 68 to finish at 207. Crick made sure no one would threaten his four-stroke lead entering the day by shooting 32 on the front nine, including an eagle on No. 8.

The senior from McCook, Neb., has now won four career tournament titles and two since transferring from Gonzaga at the start of the 2008-09 season. His four career collegiate wins rank second all-time among Husker golfers, as Jamie Rogers captured five from 1995-99.  

Also helping the Huskers to the team title was Brett Nymeyer, who earned a career-best sixth-place finish after shooting a career-best, five-under-par 67 on Tuesday. Nymeyer made back-to-back eagles on Nos. 7 and 8 and finished the front nine with a blistering 31 (-5). For the tournament, Nymeyer finished at 219.

Mike Coatman and Scott Willman tied for seventh at 220. Coatman shot a career-best four-under-par 68 in the final round, while Willman carded a 76. Andrew Wyatt tied for 18th at 224 after shooting 76 on Tuesday.

Neil Dufford, competing as an individual, suffered an 81 in the final round that dropped him from third place into a tie for 22nd.

The Huskers had finished in the top three in three tournaments this season prior to the Jackrabbit Invitational, including two second-place finishes. Since 2006, NU had finished in the top three seven times without winning.

Next up, the Huskers travel south and play Thursday-Saturday at the the 2010 Desert Shootout in Goodyear, Ariz., at Palm Valley Golf Course.

Team Standings
1. Nebraska - 286-295-279 = 860
2. Arkansas State - 295-295-285 = 875 
3. Western Illinois - 299-296-288 = 883
4. UMKC - 296-299-301 = 896
5. Oral Roberts - 300-300-297 = 897
6. Loyola - 301-309-290 = 900
7. South Dakota State - 309-304-288 = 901 
8. Drake - 305-302-300 = 907
9. North Dakota State - 306-308-298 = 912   
10. Oakland - 313-310-291 = 914
11. Northern Iowa - 310-303-303 = 916
12. Southern Utah - 308-307-311 = 926 
13. Youngstown State - 309-314-304 = 927 
14. Cleveland State - 318-316-295 = 929 
15. North Dakota - 318-309-306 = 933 
T16. South Dakota (B) - 325-316-323 = 964 
T16. South Dakota - 322-332-310 = 964 

Nebraska Lineup
1. Brandon Crick - 69-70-68 = 207 (-9)
6. Brett Nymeyer - 71-81-67 = 219 (+3)
T7. Mike Coatman - 73-79-68 = 220 (+4)
T7. Scott Willman - 73-71-76 = 220 (+4) 
T18. Andrew Wyatt - 73-75-76 = 224 (+8)
Individual
T22. Neil Dufford - 73-71-81 = 225 (+9)

Top Individuals
1. Brandon Crick, Nebraska - 69-70-68 = 207 (-9)
2. Kyle Peterman, Western Illinois - 74-70-68 = 212 (-4)
T3. Garrett Moore, Oral Roberts - 70-73-72 = 215 (-1)
T3. Tyler Thompson, Arkansas State - 71-76-68 = 215 (-1)

Nate Pohlen, Nebraska Media Relations