Freshman leads teams to 3rd place at Pioneer Classic

In the best tournament of his young collegiate career, freshman Santiago Quirarte was one of three Hoosier golfers to finish at even par or better as the men's golf team shot a 54-hole 859 total to place third at last week's Pioneer Classic. The Hoosiers finished one shot behind second-place Northern Colorado and 38 shots behind first-place Wichita State.\nInconsistent play plagued the Hoosiers as the team's top two players, seniors Jeff Overton and Heath Peters, struggled to find top form at the second tournament of the spring season for the Hoosiers. They finished the three-round tournament with scores of 214 and 221, respectively.\n"We didn't get the production from the top of our lineup," said IU coach Mike Mayer. "We know they will step it up for us next time out."\nQuirarte led the Hoosiers with a fourth-place finish as he carded a 6-under 210. After starting the tournament with two rounds under par, Quirarte cooled off a little with an even par 72 to finish the tournament. His efforts at the tournament earned Quirarte his first Big Ten Player of the Week honors.\n"Santiago played one of the best tournaments I've ever seen a freshman play in all my years here at IU," Mayer said. "Winning the Big Ten Player of the Week is a great honor for a freshman and we have already seen more confidence in Santiago after winning the award."\nJunior Brad Marek tied his 54-hole scoring total with a three round total of 217. In his first collegiate tournament, junior walk-on Aaron Harrell fired an even par 72 in his final round to give him a 220 total for the tournament.\nThe Hoosiers had three individuals in the tournament led by junior Scott Seibert who finished tied for 31st with a score of 218. Seibert was joined by senior Mike Birkenfeld and junior Oren Hodak who carded scores of 221 and 226.\nThe Hoosiers are back in action next week as they head to North Carolina to play in the Pinehurst Intercollegiate. The Hoosiers continue to improve as the season gets into full swing during April.\n"We have some small details to work on," Mayer said. "We are getting our players where we need them to be"