"We have some very talented and hard-working young men in our golf program," said Kibler, now in his sixth season as the golf coach. "Individually, each one has the ability to shoot a low score and be a solid player for us, but we just haven't consistently put it all together at the same time. I am hoping that will happen this spring. If it does, we will be right in the mix to win a title and earn an NCAA Tournament berth."

 

Evidence of that fact was this fall when five returning players scored one of the top-22 stroke averages for a single season in school history. The talent to win an OAC title is definitely on the roster.

 

Although this year's team does not have a senior on its roster, Kibler can rely heavily on junior All-OAC players Nick Bryan (Zanesville/ Bishop Rosecrans) and Mike Falk (Strongsville) to be his leaders.

 

In addition, juniors Cory Swaisgood (Fremont/ St. Joseph's Central Catholic) and  Tom Jesko (Salem/ Senior), sophomores Matt Weiss (Concord Township/ Mentor) and Brian Routhieaux (Gibson, Pa./ Mars Area) and freshmen Ricky Jaskolski (North Royalton/ Parma Padua Franciscan), Chris Juszak (East Liverpool) and Kyle Lewis (Riverside, Calif./ Riverside Poly).

 

Bryan, both an Academic All-OAC and All-OAC honoree, had another fantastic fall and almost broke his own school scoring record by posting a 74.55 stroke average in 11 rounds. In the fall of 2007, he posted a school-record 74.0 average. "Nick is one of the best golfers to ever wear the Brown & Gold, and he's defintely one of the best in the OAC and Region," said Kibler.  "Nick missed the season last spring due to an injury, but bounced back well this fall. As the team anchor, we need Nick to be at his best if we're going to accomplish our team goals"

 

Falk, who missed the 2008 Fall season because he studied abroad in India, averaged 77.04 strokes last spring to place eighth at the '08 OAC tourney to earn All-OAC acclaim. He also owns the sixth-best seasonal stroke average in school history at 75.68 during in the 2007 Fall season. "Mike is a solid player who makes minimal mistakes," said Kibler. "If he and Nick both shoot low rounds at the same time, it makes a big difference in our team score."

 

Swaisgood and Jesko have been somewhat erratic at times, but have the ability to post a low score and make a huge difference. Swaisgood played well in all six tournments this fall and averaged a career-best 78.91 strokes. Jesko played his first season of golf in the fall and averaged 80.73 strokes in six tournaments with a best round of 76. He lettered as a freshman in basketball and then did not play a sport last year.

 

In Weiss and Routhieaux, Kibler has two more young players with a great deal of talent and ability. Weiss played in all six tournaments in the fall and averaged 76.00 strokes to tie current Jaskolski for seventh-best all-time season average. Weiss' best round was a 71. "Matt is a long ball hitter with a solid short game," said Kibler. "As our 2 or 3 man, our success is often predicated upon Matt's scores."

 

Routhieaux had a 76.27 average in six events to rank 11th all-time for a single season. His best round was a 72. Routhieaux's progress since the beginning of his freshman season has been impressive, according to Kibler. "Brian's commitment to the team and golf are great examples for the new guys to follow and emmulate," said Kibler. "Brian's best golf is still ahead of him, and because of his work ethic, we know that he will help the team."

 

Jaskolski, Juszczak and Lewis all played their first season of collegiate golf last fall. Jaskolski had the strongest season of the trio and averaged 76.00 to tie Weiss for the seventh best season average in BW history.  His best round was a 72. "Ricky has the talent and ability to be one of the best golfers in the OAC," said Kibler. "When his game is on, he can really post a low score. We are hoping that Ricky can develop that type of consistency this spring."

 

Juszack averaged 80.55 strokes in the fall and had a best-round of 75. Lewis had a  stroke average 87.00 with a best round of 80. "We are looking for both Chris and Kyle to continued to improve and also become consistent. Both are good players and have a chance to crack the top five at any time.

 

"Overall, we are very exicted about this upcoming season," said Kibler. "Anticipation and expectations are high. We know we are capbale of having a special season. We know the OAC has become a very talented golf conference with eight teams capable of outperforming the others on any given day. But, consistency will be a BIG key."

 

The 2009 spring season begins with a spring break trip to the state of Arizona where the team will practice and play in one tournament. The northern schedule begins on March 27-28 when the Yellow Jackets travel to South Zanesville, Ohio and the EagleSticks Golf Club to compete at the Muskingum College Spring Invitational.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact BW Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu. Also, Assistant SID Nick Minerd at 440-826-2780 and e-mail at nminerd@bw.edu. Head Coach Chris Kibler can be reached by phone at 440-826-2183 and e-mail at ckibler@bw.edu. You also can access the latest athletics news and information by logging onto the BW Athletics Web site at www.bw.edu/athletics.