Final-round surge not enough for IU

The IU men's golf team finished in a tie for 11th place in the East Regional of the 2006 NCAA Tournament with a final score 287. IU was one of six squads in the 27-team field to shoot under par.\nTo remain in the tournament and be able to advance the Hoosiers needed to clinch at least 10th place, which was awarded to University of Nevada-Las Vegas with three day scores of 287, 293 and 304. The par-72 Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, located in Orlando has been a challenge for all teams in the Tournament, but\n especially IU. \nIU men's golf coach Mike Mayer is no stranger to NCAA Tournaments. The 2005-2006 season marks the third consecutive year that IU has made an appearance in the postseason.\nThis year, however, has been different than others and has challenged Mayer's previous \nexperience. \nThis year's men's golf squad relies on its talented youth, rather than experienced upperclassmen. Freshman Jorge Campillo, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, was the Hoosiers' standout leader with a score of 67, which put his personal standings at 10th place. The native born Spaniard ended his season with a 72.67 average, eighth overall in IU history. \nJorge's performance was complemented by his classmates', including freshman Seth Brandon, who finished with a three day total of 225 that puts him closely behind Jorge. \nThe Hoosier squad claimed two titles and advanced to their third consecutive NCAA appearance, the first time IU participated in three straight postseasons since their run of six consecutive postseason berths from 1972-77. \nThe IU freshman class finished the year ranked second in Golfstat's Freshman Class Impact Ranking, a fact that should make Mayer, the 2006 Big Ten Coach of the Year, smile with the satisfaction of knowing that his team can only get better.\n"This may have been the best spring season in the history of our program," Mayer said in a statement. "We accomplished a great deal for such a young team. We will take a lot away from this experience and learn from it. I'm extremely proud of these young men and now they know what they have to do to get to the next level next season"