Results     

     EDMOND, Okla.- Freshman Scott Sikes' one-over par, 71, helped lead Texas Wesleyan to a first-place finish Tuesday afternoon in the Oklahoma Christian Invitational at Coffee Creek Golf Club.

     Texas Wesleyan (285-300=585), ranked 10th in the nation before the tournament, held a three-shot lead over tournament host Oklahoma Christian going into the final round. Oklahoma Christian (288-298=586) bested Texas Wesleyan by two shots in the final round but the Rams picked up the victory, while also fending off a late charge by three-time defending NAIA champs, Oklahoma City (298-288=586), who finished tied with Oklahoma Christian for second place.

     The victory was the Rams' first since 2001, when they won the St. Mary's Fall Invitational.

     "We are extremely pleased about being back in the winner's circle," head coach Kevin Millikan said. "All of the hard work we put in this fall is starting to pay off. "

     Sikes (74-71=145) finished the tournament tied for fifth, seven shots behind Oklahoma City's Tyrone Van Aswegen (71-67=138).

     Sophomore Reino Deetlefs (70-77=147) and freshman Justin Smith (72-75=147) both tied for ninth in the tournament. Senior Ryan Craig (71-77=148) and junior Euan McIntosh (72-78=150) finished tied for 13th and 29th respectively.

     "We have gone the entire fall schedule with a different lineup in each tournament," Millikan said. "Every guy on our roster can contribute and that was shown in this victory. It is exciting that a team this young is having this type of success."

     This tournament wraps up the fall portion of the schedule for Texas Wesleyan. They open the spring season March 1-2, when they travel to Southern Pines, N.C. for the Pfieffer/Pine Needles Invitational.