RENO, Nev. ? The New Mexico State men’s golf team won its first tournament of the season with a 17-under par, 847 to win the 2008 Wolf Pack Classic Tuesday, Oct. 7. The Aggies defeated two top 35 teams including Tennessee and Kansas State, as well as WAC schools Nevada and Fresno State. All five Aggie golfers carded rounds of under par in the final round.
The Aggies won the tournament by five strokes over Arizona (-12), Tennessee (-7), Nevada (-1) and Kansas State (-1).
“This was a complete team effort this week,” head coach Scott Lieberwirth said. “I can’t remember ever coaching a team that all five players shot under par in the final round. I’m really proud of the way our team played. We are playing great golf right now.”
Senior Kevin Lozares paced the Aggies with a three round score of 8-under par, 208 with all three rounds of the tournament under par. Lozares carded a 2-under par, 70 in the final round, tying him for second overall for the tournament.
“Kevin had a tremendous tournament and played solid golf both days,” Lieberwirth said.
Sophomore Tim Madigan finished in a tie for seventh overall with a three round score of 4-under par, 212. In the final round of play, Madigan recorded his second round under for the tournament, finishing with a 1-under par, 71. Senior Travis Reid pounded out his second consecutive round under par with a 1-under par, 71. Reid finished the tournament in a tie for 13th overall with a 1-under par, 215.
Freshman Miko Alejandro made the biggest move up the leader board on the final day. Going into the final round, Alejandro was five over par after two rounds before he carded the team’s low round of the tournament with a 5-under par, 67. Alejandro played a bogey free final round to finish the tournament at even par, 216. He tied for 16th overall.
“Miko’s 67 today was an outstanding round for a truly gifted freshman,” Lieberwirth said. “I’m very happy with the way he continued to fight all tournament long.”
Freshman Gaston De La Torre also finished the tournament on a strong note with a 1-under par, 71 to tie for 21st overall with a three round score of 1-over par, 217. De La Torre carded two rounds under par after starting the tournament at 4-over par.
The Aggies will try and carry their momentum later this month as they host their lone home tournament of the year, the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate, October 27-28.