OLIVE HILL, Ky. — WVU Tech golf completed play at the Kentucky Christian University Spring Invitational, finishing seventh in a 13-team field at Hidden Cove Golf Course at Grayson Lake State Park.
The Golden Bears posted a team score of 647 (331-316) across the 36-hole event on the par-72, 6,839-yard course. WVU Tech improved by 15 strokes in the final round and placed two golfers in a tie for third out of 70 competitors.
Sophomore Sean Cooper and freshman Alejandro Gutierrez led the way for the Golden Bears, each finishing tied for third at 150 (+6). Cooper turned in back-to-back rounds of 75 and stayed steady throughout the event, while Gutierrez surged up the leaderboard with an even-par 72 in the final round after opening with a 78.
Alvaro Iglesias Pascual added another strong finish for WVU Tech, tying for 14th at 157 (+13) with rounds of 78 and 79. Lee Kimathi also cracked the top 25, tying for 23rd at 161 (+17) after rebounding from an opening-round 86 with a final-round 75.
Parker Vannoy and Mathias Maldonado each tied for 33rd at 165 (+21). Vannoy carded rounds of 85 and 80, while Maldonado followed an opening 86 with a 79 in the final round. Gavin Gregory and Pablo Antolin also tied for 33rd at 165 (+21). Gregory posted rounds of 83 and 82 for the Bears' B team, while Antolin shot 82 and 83 competing with Tech C.
Valentin Jimenez and Eric Heinold each tied for 40th at 168 (+24). Jimenez cut 14 strokes off his opening round with a 77 on Tuesday, while Heinold finished with rounds of 82 and 86. Martin Furmento tied for 45th at 170 (+26) after rounds of 88 and 82.
Roberto Peiro tied for 26th at 162 (+18) with rounds of 80 and 82 for Tech C. Max Juutinen tied for 53rd at 176 (+32) with rounds of 91 and 85, and Ian Crouse tied for 57th at 178 (+34) after rounds of 91 and 87. Trevor Boothe tied for 61st at 181 (+37) with rounds of 92 and 89, and Hunter Moore placed 65th at 182 (+38) on rounds of 95 and 87.
WVU Tech also received solid play from its additional squads. Tech C finished eighth at 653 (331-322), led by Gutierrez's top-three finish and Peiro's tie for 26th. Tech B placed 10th at 679 (352-327), paced by Gregory and Maldonado at 165 (+21) and Jimenez at 168 (+24).
Statistically, WVU Tech showed quality on the course in several areas. The main Tech team ranked first in the field in par-3 scoring at 3.39, ahead of Johnson University and Midway at 3.40. The Golden Bears also recorded 80 pars, tied with Union (Ky.), and posted eight birdies as a team. Tech C added 10 birdies and one eagle, while Tech B finished with eight birdies and one eagle. Individually, Gutierrez tied for the team lead with five birdies and was one of only six players in the field to record an eagle. Cooper finished 1-under on par-5s at 4.88, while Gage Garvin played the par 3s at even par, one of the best marks in the tournament.
Johnson University won the team title at 618 (+42), followed by Midway at 620 and Bluefield (Va.) at 627. Bluefield's Jacob Mitchell earned medalist honors with a two-round total of 148 (+4).
WVU Tech returns to action April 18-19 at the IU Kokomo Spring Shootout in Kokomo, Indiana.
