The Kent State men’s golf team had its second-best finish of the season and its second-straight strong tournament performance, tying for second at the Rutherford Intercollegiate in State College, Pennsylvania.

The team, which is currently ranked number 38 in Division I by Golfweek, was in first after two rounds but finished seven strokes behind Penn State.

“It was definitely the first time we were in the lead like that,” coach Jon Mills said. “But we made a couple of bad bogeys, and Penn State was making some birdies. It can change that quickly.”

The Flashes finished with a total score of 7-above-par 859, beating 11 other teams. 

“We did not get off to a good start on the third round, but we hung in there,” Mills said. “Even on the 12th hole, we were three up.”

All five Kent State golfers finished top 50 with sophomore Cade Breitenstine tying for fourth and senior Josh Gilkison finishing 12th.

“When you talk to those two guys, they are probably frustrated with their play,” Mills said. “But it is good to know that even with their B-game, they can still finish pretty well.” 

Breitenstine posted a 3-under-par 210. 

“Cade has been playing very solid golf, and he wants to win,” said Mills. “I talked to him a little bit, and he didn’t feel like he was hitting the ball very well. But I told him that’s the sign of a great player, when you are not really sharp with your golf game but still manage to get top five.”

Gilkison had a three-over-par 216.

“Hopefully they learn from it, and it motivates them even more going into next week at Ohio State,” Mills said. “We are going to a tournament where everyone knows the golf course.”

The team will compete in the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate hosted by the Ohio State University April 24-25. 

Pilar Lewis is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].