Hoosiers rally to place third

The men's golf team cruised to a third place finish in this weekend's 20-team Wolverine Invitational in Ann Arbor, Mich. The third-place mark was the highest the Hoosiers have ever posted in the Wolverine Invitational, which they have played in annually since the tournament began in the 1990-91 season.\nThe Hoosiers finished the 36-hole tourney with a score of 586. Only Minnesota, with a score of 579, and Baylor, which posted a 574, were able to top IU.\n"It was a good field, a good golf course and we beat some really good teams out there," coach Mike Mayer said. "I couldn't be more pleased."\nOf the teams Indiana finished ahead of, five were Big Ten teams. For the Hoosiers, who are coming off a 2000-01 season that found them in the Big Ten basement, this sign is as strong of an indication as any that the squad's fortunes are on the verge of turning around.\nThe team placed third in the tournament despite playing three freshmen in the five-man lineup for the first time in Mayer's reign as head coach. Jeff Overton led the freshmen with a three-over-par score of 145 (72-73), which was good enough for a tie for 15th place individually. \n"We had more confidence than we did in the first tournament," Overton said.\nFreshmen Heath Peters and Rob Ockenfuss also contributed to the team's victory. Peters finished tied for 36th place individually with a final score of 149, including a one-over-par 72 during Sunday's round. Ockenfuss tied for 63rd with a score of 153 (78-75). It was the first collegiate tournament for both Peters and Ockenfuss.\n"Our freshmen actually played better than they scored," Mayer said.\nThe hero for the Hoosiers was junior Aldo Jordan. Jordan returned to his normal form after a rough outing in the season-opening Badger Invitational. Jordan shot a two-over-par 144 in the tournament, including an even par 71 on Friday's opening round. Jordan's score was good enough to put him in a tie for ninth place in the tournament. \nFor Jordan, the defining moment of his round occured on hole 12, the third hole he played on Friday. Jordan saved par on the hole by sinking a 40-foot putt.\n"It pumped me up for the rest of the round," Jordan said. "It was a turning point for me."\nJunior Ben Davidson also made a strong contribution to the Hoosiers high finish, shooting 148 (73-75) in the tourney. Davidson tied for 27th individually.\nThe Hoosiers entered play on Sunday in fifth place, but lept ahead of West Florida, Ball State, and Michigan State during the final round. Baylor, who won the tournament, came back from sixth place after their first round.\n"This tournament leaves me feeling very pleased about our team and our future," Mayer said.