Sept. 2, 2008

FARMINGTON, Pa. - Marshall University golfer Nathan Kinker (Barboursville, W.Va.) picked up the second top-10 finish of his career on Tuesday as the senior shot a 2-over 74 in the final round of the 54-hole Rutherford Intercollegiate to finish in a four-way tie for eighth place. Collectively, the Thundering Herd finished in 10th place of the 12-team, season-opening tournament hosted by Penn State at the Mystic Rock Course at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a par-72, 7,269-yard layout.

Kinker carded a 221 (76-71-74), which was 5-over par for the championship and 10 strokes behind medalist Nakarintra Ratanakul (210) of Purdue. Kinker entered the final round in a tie for fifth place and promptly shot par on each of today's first 10 holes, however, he bogeyed three of the next four holes before posting his lone birdie on the 17th hole.

Kinker's best round of the tournament came in yesterday's second round with a 1-under 71, aided by five birdies on his front nine. His other career top-10 finish came as a freshman in April of 2006 when he placed in a tie for sixth at the Marshall Invitational.

Purdue (871) won the team title, finishing 15 strokes ahead of second place VCU (886). Host Penn State (889) finished in third place while the 10th-place Herd (917) was one stroke better than Toledo (918).

Herd junior Christian Brand (Charleston, W.Va.) claimed 12th place, falling just one stroke behind Kinker at 6-over for the championship with a 222. Brand matched his round one score of 1-over 73 in today's final round.

Marshall's next highest finisher was freshman Carson Schambach (Glen Dale, W.Va.) in 44th place. The younger brother of former Herd golfer and current student assistant Trent Schambach carded a 234 (76-79-79) in his first collegiate tournament and finished his final round with two straight birdies.

Marshall (54-hole total): 917 (306-307-304)

Marshall Team Score (54-hole total): Nathan Kinker 221 (76-71-74), Christian Brand 222 (73-76-73), Carson Schambach 234 (76-79-79), Bennett Boyer 240 (81-81-78), Dustin Cutlip* 248 (83-85-80), Phil DiLorenzo 265 (85-92-88)
* Played as an Individual

Full Results can be accessed at www.golfstat.com