Oct. 4, 2005

Glenview, Ill. - Illinois climbed two spots in the team standings during Tuesday's final day of play to finish in 10th place at the Big Ten/Pac-10 Challenge, hosted by Northwestern at The Glen Club in Glenview, Ill. The event, in its second year, pits seven Big Ten schools against seven Pac-10 schools. The Big Ten won the Challenge portion of the competition, which counted the six-best team scores from each round. The series is now tied 1-1, as the Pac-10 took last year's inaugural Challenge, which was held in Oregon.

Illinois shot rounds of 290-301-294 to finish in 10th with a 54-hole total of 885 strokes. Leading the way for the Illini was junior Patrick Nagle, who tied for 14th place out of 72 golfers in the field. Nagle, who matched the second-lowest score of his career on Monday with a 66, added rounds of 78 and 73 to finish tied for 14th at 1-over par with a three-round total of 217.

Sophomore Frank Alafoginis was Illinois' second finisher, tying for 30th place at +6. Alafoginis tallied a 76 in round one, led the Illini during round two with an even-par 72, and finished with a 74 for a 222 total. Fellow sophomore Andy Mack finished just one stroke behind Alafoginis, tying for 35th place at +7. Mack shot rounds of 76 and 75 yesterday and led the UI during today's final round with an even 72 for a 54-hole total of 223.

Rounding out the Illini lineup, junior Kyle Hosick tied for 44th at +9 (225), while freshman Jon Krick, who competed as an individual, tied for 64th with a 235. Senior Blair Harkins shot a 77 in yesterday's first round, but withdrew from competition in round two. Harkins returned to action today and finished with a 75.

Northwestern won the tournament with a score of 860, defeating Minnesota (863) by three shots. Arizona State placed third at 865. Individually, Northwestern's David Merkow captured medalist honors at 7-under par.

Illinois returns to the course in two weeks, traveling to Palm Springs, Calif. for The Prestige on Oct. 17-18.

Big Ten/Pac-10 Challenge - Final Team Standings
1.	Northwestern    286-289-285=860
2.	Minnesota       294-282-287=863
3.	Arizona State   288-285-292=865
4.	UCLA            293-283-292=868
5.	Washington      289-298-287=874
6.	Ohio State      287-284-296=877
T7.	Arizona         296-290-292=878
T7.	Michigan State  290-298-290=878
9.	Purdue          298-284-300=882
10.	ILLINOIS        290-301-294=885
11.	Indiana         293-294-299=886
12.	USC             293-297-309=899
13.	Oregon          305-304-296=905
14.	California      298-310-312=920

Illinois Results
T14.	Patrick Nagle      66-78-73=217   +1
T30.	Frank Alafoginis   76-72-74=222   +6
T35.	Andy Mack          76-75-72=223   +7
T44.	Kyle Hosick        72-76-77=225   +9
T64.	Jon Krick (Ind.)   78-76-81=235   +19
---	Blair Harkins      77-WD-75       ---