Final Results (.pdf)

MACOMB, Ill. - Sophomore Santiago Ruiz earned his first career tournament win, capturing this weekend's Beu/Mussatto Invitational with a 54-hole, 1-over 217 (73-74-70) at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course on the Western Illinois campus. The native of Colombia was tied for 11th entering Saturday's final round, but rallied with a final round, 2-under 70 to collect the win.

South Dakota State edged IUPUI for the team title at 889 while the Jaguars finished at 891. Both teams shot 304 on the tournament's final day and Indian Hills Community College carded 306 to finish third.

"The key for the Jags is to focus on the positives and look at how we can improve everyday," Assistant Coach Colby Huffman said. "We try to stay away from being too critical and judgmental and rather focus on improving and working on our games.

"Santi and Rob played really solid this week. They've worked a lot and they're starting to get past the struggles. Unfortunately, struggling is part of the process and I think we're starting to get past that."

With the win, Ruiz collected his third career top 10 finish and first-ever top five result.

Individually, SDSU's Hudson Carpenter was second at 218 and five players tied for third at 219 including IUPUI junior Rob van de Vin. van de Vin shot a final round 74 to collect his second top five finish of the season. The Netherlands-native opened with a first round 70 before going 75-74 over the final two rounds.

"Both Santi and Rob had good mindsets throughout most of their rounds. Now, instead of having a good mindset for 70 percent of the round, we need to get that up to having a good mindset for 90 or 95 percent of the round. Instead of comparing themselves to the field, they need to compare themselves to par."

Freshman Austin Winings, who sat atop the leaderboard after day one, shot a final round 86 to close at 229 (69-74-86) and classmate Tyler Davis finished at 232 (75-78-79).

Sophomore Cole Adams rounded out the Jaguars' lineup at 233 (74-78-81) and freshman Bryce Very shot 234 (79-75-80) while playing as an individual.

"Everyone's improving," Huffman said. "The freshmen have really worked hard, are learning and buying into the process. That's important as they continue to grow and mature."

IUPUI's opening round 286 was easily the team's best round of the season, as was the final tally of 891. After struggling to beat teams earlier in the season, this weekend's event was the Jaguars' first runner-up finish of the year. IUPUI placed ahead of Summit League foes North Dakota State, host Western Illinois, South Dakota and Omaha. The Jags will return to action on Apr. 7-8 when they compete in the NYX Hoosier Invitational at the IU Varsity Course in Bloomington, Ind..

Team Standings
1. South Dakota State - 300-285-304=889 (+25)
2. IUPUI - 286-301-304=891 (+27)
3. Indian Hills - 299-288-306=893 (+29)
4. North Dakota State - 305-288-302=895 (+31)
5. Lewis - 297-293-307=897 (+33)
6. Valparaiso - 294-296-311=901 (+37)
t-7. Western Illinois - 305-292-312=909 (+45)
t-7. South Dakota - 300-308-301=909 (+45)
9. Bradley - 306-297-311=914 (+50)
t-10. Omaha - 305-294-319=918 (+54)
t-10. Creighton - 299-300-319=918 (+54)
12. Western Illinois 'Gold' - 309-305-316=930 (+66)
13. Green Bay - 309-312-320=941 (+77)
14. St. Ambrose - 316-315-329=960 (+96)
15. Chicago State - 356-343-346=1,045 (+181)

Individual Standings
1. Santiago Ruiz - 73-74-70=217 (+1)
t-3. Rob van de Vin - 70-75-74=219 (+3)
t-23. Austin Winings - 69-74-86=229 (+13)
t-46. Tyler Davis - 75-78-79=232 (+16)
t-51. Cole Adams - 74-78-81=233 (+17)
*t-55. Bryce Very - 79-75-80=234 (+18)
     *playing as an individual