Mickelson Defends Title, Leads ASU in NCAA Golf

Phil Mickelson, a USDHS alumnus, shot a six-under-par 66 to successfully defend his NCAA golf championship and help Arizona State overcome an 11-stroke deficit to win the team title Saturday in Tarpon Springs, Fla.

The national crown was the first for Arizona State, whose best previous finish was second in 1961. Mickelson, a sophomore, became the sixth player to win at least two individual titles and the first repeat champion since Scott Simpson won at Southern California in 1976 and 1977.

Mickelson, who became only the fourth freshman to win an NCAA title last year, had eight birdies and two bogeys for a four-day total of nine-under-par 279 on the Island course at Innisbrook Resort. He was 12 under par the last 54 holes after shooting 75 in the opening round.

It capped a week in which Mickelson had earlier qualified for the U.S. Open.

Arizona State had a 72-hole team score of three-over-par 1,155. Florida, which shot four-over 292 in the final round, finished two shots back at 1,157. Arizona was third at 1,159, followed by pre-tournament favorite Oklahoma State (1,163), defending champion Oklahoma (1,167) and Fresno State (1,167).

HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL

John Hyden from Mt. Carmel, who earlier in the day accepted a scholarship from SDSU, had a match-high 31 kills in leading the 3-A past the 2-A in the first Section All-Star boys’ volleyball game, 8-15, 15-4, 15-10, 13-15, 15-5. It was played at Mt. Carmel.

The 2-A was led by Lincoln’s Ala Mikaele, who had 28 kills.

The 2-A came back from a 12-8 deficit in the fourth game to force a fifth and final game. Danny Kotnik from Patrick Henry had four of his match-high nine blocks and four of his 16 kills during the 3-A’s 8-0 run to start the last game.