Junior Nic Baker of the Illinois State mens golf team has earned an individual spot at the NCAA regionals tournament.
The top seven teams advance on to the NCAA regionals as well as the top two individuals in the district not already on one of the top seven teams.
Baker, a native of Hillsboro, Ill., is a team leader for the Redbird golf team and has continously contributed low rounds and top finishes which has helped land him a spot at the NCAA regionals.
Baker kicked off his fall season by claiming top honors at the D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate hosted by Illinois State. Bakers top place finish helped the Redbirds claim the team championship at the tournament as well.
The Redbird team also took home a first place finish at the Jim Colbert Intercollegiate where Baker fired a low round of 69. His career best low round of 67 came at the Branson Creek Intercollegiate.
Bakers golf game blossomed in the spring with three consecutive top-10 finishes. He carries a team leading 74 stroke average which ranks No. 4 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Nics strong play throughout the fall and spring semesters is what placed him in the position at the NCAA regionals, head coach Harland Kilborn said. I expect him to come refreshed with a strong game to compete at this level. If he has the right week with the right timing and rhythm and full swing, anything can happen.
The regional tournament will be played at Karston Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla., and will consist of 54 holes. The tournament will be held Friday and Saturday, May 18-19.
