The Barton Community College men's golf team finished third in the eleven team Warrior Invitational held earlier this week at Hutchinson's Carey Park Golf Course.  The Cougars held the first day lead by five strokes but despite improving on second rounds couldn't hold off the charges of Bethany College and Ottawa University on Tuesday's final eighteen holes.   Barton finished +33 as a team scoring 601 to finish five behind Bethany and just two out from second place Ottawa.

"I was very proud of my team today," said Head Coach Doug Kaiser. "We improved our score from Monday and give credit to Bethany and Ottawa for playing so well to beat us out."

Landon Fox posted an opening day one-under-par 70 to lead the seventy-five player Invitational but a 75 on Tuesday caused the sophomore from Winfield to fall into a five-way tie for fifth place at 145 (+3).  Joining Fox in the fifth position was teammate Natchapol Srinoon who followed his 75 Monday round with a 70 to make a move up the standings from tenth.  

Cracking the top twenty-five following an opening day 77, Koby Beougher fell into a tie for 32nd with an eighty to finish with a 157 (+15) while Blake Huxman put together consecutive 79 rounds to finish at 158 (+16) to tie for 36th.  Jared Oelke made the biggest improvement from the first day shaving off nine strokes from an opening 85 to jump eleven spots into a tie for 46th with a 161 (+19).  

Competing as an individual, Jestin Jackson was solid in his collegiate debut carding consistent rounds of 75 and 74 to finish tied for 13th at 149 (+7).

"We averaged shooting a 75 which I'm happy about," Kaiser said.  "Jestin shot really well as an individual and could have really helped our team score, but overall I'm really proud of these guys."

Barton will next compete in the two-day Dodge City Invitational held October 10-11 at Mariah Hills Golf Course in Dodge City, Kansas.