IU takes home title in rain

The IU men's golf team started the final day in first place of the Xavier Invitational, only one stroke ahead of Marquette. The Hoosiers won their previous two tournaments with strong final round performances, and, with only a one-stroke lead, it appeared that the Hoosiers would need another strong final day. \nBut the Hoosiers would not have to wait that long. Rain started falling around 10 a.m., and just over a half hour later, the course was declared unplayable. Play was ended at 10:33 a.m., and the Hoosiers took home their third consecutive title.\n"We took care of business to the point where the weather couldn't hurt us," IU coach Mike Mayer said in a statement. "We were ready to play today, but the conditions didn't warrant it. We got our third victory of the year, and I'm very proud of this team."\nThe Hoosiers posted an opening round score of 560, setting a new 36-hole tournament record for the Xavier Invitational. The score was only four shots away from tying the school record for a low 36-hole score. The record of 556, set at this year's Hoosier Invitational September 27-28, still stands. \nJunior Jeff Overton has led the Hoosier lineup all season, and the Xavier Invitational was no different. Overton shot 65 in both rounds, giving him a two-round total of 130. Overton's performance was good enough to set a new school record for individual 36-hole low score and help him earn his fourth consecutive tournament victory. Overton held off Marquette freshman Michael Bielawski by three strokes to take the individual title.\n"I played really well and hit the ball extremely well this fall. I went out every time thinking I was going to win," Overton said in a statement. "More importantly, I think our team has gelled together really well. We need to continue climbing that ladder and keep playing great in the fall."\nOnce again, the Hoosiers were able to get contributions from throughout the lineup to help clinch the victory. Junior Mike Birkenfeld gave the Hoosiers another solid performance. Birkenfeld shot 68 in the first round and 71 in the second; his score of 139 gave Birkenfeld seventh place and his second top-10 finish of the season. \nSophomore Scott Seibert had only played in three rounds this fall, and got off to a shaky start by shooting an 80. But Seibert was able to recover and his second round score of 66 helped propel the Hoosiers into first place for good. \nThis fall season has been one of the most successful for the Hoosiers. IU opened the season with a second place finish at the Northern Intercollegiate and did not have to settle for second place again. After winning the Hoosier Invitational, the 49er Collegiate Classic and now the Xavier Invitational, the Hoosiers have won three consecutive tournaments for the first time since 1974 when they won the Northern Intercollegiate, the Southern Intercollegiate and the Big Ten Championship.\nWith their fall season concluded, the Hoosiers will take the next few months off and wait for the spring season to begin. The Hoosiers' next tournament will be the UCF/Rio Pinar Intercollegiate in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 16 and 17. Because of their strong fall season, the Hoosiers will eagerly anticipate the spring season.\n"Winning the Xavier Invitational was a great way to end the fall," Mayer said in a statement. "But we will continue to get stronger in the offseason. We will be ready to come out this spring and pick up right where we left off"