TicketsCINCINNATI -- Three Bearcats finished in the top-10, and Cincinnati rode a wave that began Monday morning into an 11-stroke victory over the 18-team field at the Bearcat Invitational at Coldstream Country Club.
Cincinnati also won the event in 2022, and Ryan Ford claimed the individual title in 2024. It marked the 10th tournament title under head coach Doug Martin and first since the Johnnie-O in March.
After a grueling battle and rally for third place a week ago at the loaded Folds of Honor Collegiate, Martin said they took it easier in their prep for the next one.
"I thought we came out Monday morning, having to play our first 36-hole day of the season, extremely fresh," Martin said. "They had that look in their eyes. We went out and shot 6-under in both rounds and really set ourselves up today."
Leo Wessel and Connor McNeely were both 4-under on the week to tie for sixth, while Ford was 3-under for ninth. Connor Cassano and Rylan Wotherspoon tied for 14th to cap off the incredible scorecard.
Wessel now has five top-15 finishes in 10 career tournaments, including second at the Folds of Honor last week.
"We don't allow complacency," Martin said. "I told them last night that when we wake up in the morning, we don't have a lead. Golf is a very unique game, and you very rarely get the opportunity to step on the competitor's throat. Today was that opportunity."
Furman's Harris Barth won the individual crown at 9-under, while Arkansas' John Daly II was the runner-up three strokes back.
Cincinnati returns to action, and to Michigan for the second time this season, on Sunday, Sept. 26 at Central Michigan's Jim DeLapa Collegiate in Benton Harbor.
Cincinnati Scores
T6. Connor McNeely (73-69-67=209)
T6. Leo Wessel (72-67-70=209)
T9. Ryan Ford (68-72-70=210)
T14. Connor Cassano (69-72-71=212)
T14. Rylan Wotherspoon (69-70-73=212)
T46. Brayden Miller (74-72-71=217)
T66. River Stilley (71-76-74=221)
T75. Davis Gochenauer (74-80-70=224)
Team Scores