McKenna finishes second, FMU fifth in team standings

DAVIDSON, NC - Despite a final-round 2-under-par 70 from sophomore Ciaran McKenna, the Francis Marion University men's golf team slipped back two positions to finish fifth at the Davidson College Invitational Tournament on Tuesday (Oct. 13).

The 54-hole event was played on the par 72, 7,208-yard River Run Country Club course.

Francis Marion entered Tuesday's action tied for third, but while picking up ground on the leaders was also passed by two opponents.  FMU's final-round 302 team score left the Patriots with a three-round 905 tally.

Liberty University led from wire-to-wire and won the 12-team tournament with an 896 score.  Wofford College finished second at 898, followed by Gardner-Webb University (900), Guilford College (902), and Francis Marion.

McKenna (74-75-70=219) placed second in the individual standings, four strokes behind medalist Garrett Medeiros of Wofford. 

FMU freshman Sebastian Backlund (72-77-76=225) tied for 10th position, while senior Matt Jackson tied for 35th (75-77-79=231), senior Christopher Couch tied for 37th (78-75-79=232), and freshman Travis Gantt placed 51st (78-86-77=241).

Francis Marion will return to action Oct. 26-27 at the Aldila Intercollegiate Tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn.