CORNING, Calif. - Tuesday's third and final round of the InterWest Insurance Wildcat Classic proved to be the strongest for the UC San Diego men's golf team, which placed ninth of 16 squads overall at Sevillano Links, about 30 miles northwest of Chico.

UCSD shot a 5-over-par 293 Tuesday, shaving six strokes off its second round total and moving up two spots in the team standings. The Tritons improved over each round of the two-day tournament, going 300-299-293 for a total of 892, 28-over, on the par-72 course.

Cal State Stanislaus, ranked 10th nationally, won the event with a 9-under-par 855. The Warriors led from the onset, shooting 287 (1-under) and 282 (6-under) in Monday's first two rounds and 286 (2-under) in round three. Seventh-ranked Cal State Monterey Bay placed second (288-288-288--864, even-par) and No. 5 Western Washington took third (292-284-296--872, 8-over).

Stanislaus also claimed the individual title as Rob Damschen shot a 7-under 209 (66-69-74) for the tournament. His 6-under 66 was the low round of the two days. Mark Geddes of 15th-ranked Grand Canyon was second (68-71-71--210, 6-under) and Anton Rosen of Cal State Monterey Bay placed third (69-71-71--211, 5-under).

Individually for UCSD, sophomore Jay Lim was the top finisher, tying for sixth overall. Lim shot an even-par 216 (70-74-72), equaling him with Paul Smith (78-68-70) of Cal State Stanislaus and Monterey Bay's Kolby Teare (71-73-72).

Also finishing for the Tritons were Jacob Williams (75-77-72--224, T-30th), Lewis Simon (76-76-74--226, T39th), Clayton Yamaguchi (79-72-75--226, T-39th) and Marc Herrmann (83-89-89--261, 78th). Simon led all players in the field with a pair of eagles.

Five teams at the Wildcat Classic, including host Chico State (No. 6), are ranked in the Golf Coaches Association of America's top 15.

Also competing were Academy of Art, Cal Baptist, Cal State East Bay, Cal State San Bernardino, Dixie State, Holy Names, Northwest Nazarene, Notre Dame de Namur, Saint Martin's and Simon Fraser.

UCSD plays at the Sonoma State Invitational on Monday, Oct. 15 and Tuesday, Oct. 16.

-- UCSDtritons.com --