May 17, 2007

NCAA Central Regional Championships (Round One)
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Round Two Tee Times
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SUGAR GROVE, Ill. -- Led by senior Chris Wilson (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman), Northwestern is in 15th place after one round of the NCAA Central Regional Championships, which are being held at Rich Harvest Farms Golf Club. Although the Wildcats are in 15th place (the top 10 finishing teams advance to the NCAA National Championships), they are just three strokes back of the cut line.

On a day where low scores were hard to come by -- thanks to a strong north wind -- Wilson turned in a stellar round with a 1-over 73. He is sitting in a tie for sixth place, three strokes back of Louisville's Derek Fathauer, who is 2-under. His brother, Daryl Fathauer, is a stroke back, tied for second place. Powered by the Fathauer's, the Cardinals own a 9-stroke lead over Texas (+15) and a 10-stroke advantage over Wisconsin (+16).

Wilson got his day started on the right foot when he eagled the par-5 No. 2 hole. Outside of a double bogey on one of the course's toughest holes, No. 8, he played steady, consistent golf the remainder of the way to finish with his 1-over 73. Earlier in the week, Wilson won the U.S. Open local qualifying event at Conway Farms Golf Club.

Junior Dan Doyle (Rochester, Mich./Stoney Creek) was the Wildcats' next highest finisher, placing 51st with a 7-over 79. NU's three other golfers -- senior David Merkow (Hartland, Wis./Arrowehead Union), junior Kyle Moore (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Scioto) and freshman Jonathan Bowers (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson) -- did not fare as well and all carded 10-over 82's. The trio is in a tie for 87th place.

Second-round action begins Friday morning, with Northwestern's tee times beginning at 8:35 a.m. from the No. 10 hole.

For more information on the NCAA Central Regional Championships, visit the NIU Huskies' regional web site.