FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5-8-02

AASU's Nick Cowper Captures NCAA DII Southeast Regional Title
Pirates Finish Fourth After Final-Round 285 On Wednesday

SNEADS FERRY, N.C. – Armstrong Atlantic State freshman Nick Cowper fired a final-round 71 and captured the 2002 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional title today at the North Shore Golf Club in Sneads Ferry, N.C., ensuring that the freshman from Kennesaw, Ga., will advance to the upcoming 2002 NCAA Division II Golf Championships in Winter Park, Fla., from May 21-24.

The No. 21-ranked Pirates carded a final-round 285, three-under-par, and finished fourth out of the eight-team region field with a five-under-par 859 score, 24 strokes behind team champion USC Aiken. The Pacers fired a final-round 283 and won by nine strokes over Kennesaw State (278) and by 12 strokes over Francis Marion (277). USC Aiken automatically advances to the national championships while Kennesaw State, Francis Marion and AASU must await word to see if they will receive one of eight at-large berths available for the Championships.

Cowper, however, is guaranteed a berth in the championships by capturing the region title by two strokes. The freshman finished the tournament with a three-day 204 total, 12-under-par and two strokes ahead of USC Aiken's Lee Harper. Cowper will become only the second AASU golfer in school history to participate in the NCAA DII National Championships, joining Tom Carlyle, who advanced as an individual to the 1975 DII National Championships and finished 82^nd.

Freshman Ashley Loyd fired a final-round 73 and finished tied for 20th individually (217, +1) while sophomore David Roger shot a two-under-par 70 and finished tied for 24^th individually (219, +3). Sophomore Thomas Whittaker fired a one-under-par 71 on Wednesday and finished 27^th individually (220, +4) and freshman Jonathan Cox rounded out the Pirate scoring with a 73 on Wednesday to finish tied for 31^st individually (223, +7).

- Pirates -