May 14, 2008

Complete Results

HOUSTON, Texas - Two Western Washington University players shot 1-under par 69s and the Vikings are in a three-way tie for fourth place among 20 teams following first-day action Wednesday at the NCAA Division II National Men's Golf Championships being held at the Memorial Park Golf Course.

The Vikings carded a 2-over 282 and are tied with Grand Canyon and South Carolina-Aiken. Clayton State holds a five-stroke lead after shooting 7-under 273. Belmont Abbey is second at 278 and Indianapolis third at 280.

Western's Jake Koppenberg (Jr., Everett) and Sean Packer (Sr., Sumner/Auburn Riverside) each shot 1-under 69 and are tied for 11th in medalist play. It was the 10th round in the 60s this season for Koppenberg, who entered the tournament with a school-record pace 71.3 scoring average.

The Vikings' Julian Peters (So., Mukilteo/Kamiak) shot an even par 70 and is tied for 19th. Thomas Jun (Fr., Federal Way/Todd Beamer) had a 74 and is tied for 69th and Brandon Brown (Jr., Kent/Jefferson) shot a 76 and is tied for 93rd.

"It was a very good start for us and a great team effort," said Western coach Steve Card. "Jake (Koppenberg) and Sean (Packer) played very well, and I was particularly pleased with Julian's (Peters) play. Thomas (Jun) and Brandon (Brown) also played solid rounds, but had tough finishes."

"It's a tough course with plenty of bogeys if you're not careful."

The medalist leader at 7-under 63 is Jude Eustaquio from Florida Southern.

It is Western's seventh NCAA II national appearance and its18th overall. The Vikings' best NCAA finish was a tie for sixth in 2000 and their top overall placing was a tie for fourth at the NAIA National Tournament in 1997.