Gruca shines at Auto Trader.com Collegiate

       Sophomore Tyler Gruca placed seventh out of 75 competitors last Tuesday at the AutoTrader.com Collegiate, and led the Panthers to a fifth place team finish.

       Gruca finished with a score of 1-under 215, which made this the second time he has made the top ten while he has been at Georgia State. Along with his accomplishments, he also was recently awarded CAA Golfer of the Week Honors. Head Coach Joe Inman was proud of Gruca.

       "I am extremely proud of the hard work that Tyler has put into working on his game," Inman told Georgia State Athletics. "He is truly deserving of this award as he has helped our team improve in so many ways already this year. I continue to look for big things from Tyler as the year continues."

     According to Athletics, he has already earned a pair of top 15 finishes in three starts and currently has the lowest scoring average on the team.

     The men overall placed fifth for the event in the 12 team field along with Georgia Southern. The Panthers started the tournament with a score of 301 and finished with a score of 7-over 295 on the final 18 holes.

"The tournament was a great success," Inman told Athletics. "All the golfers seemed to really love the course. The coaches thought it presented a great challenge that emphasized control of the ball and discipline. Overall, there was universal praise for both the course and the tournament."

      Other top golfers for this event were seniors Clemens Dvorak and Jared Cagle, sophomore Grant Cagle and freshman Davin White. Dvorak finished in a tie for 13th place with a score of 2-over 73, following Grant Cagle who finished with a score of 8-over, placing him for 29th place.

Also, White finished for 38th place at 10-over while Jared Cagle finished in 70th place.

Sophomores Victor Lavin and Ross Mclister played as individuals and posted rounds of 77 and 84, placing them at 55th place overall.

     Other competitors included East Carolina, North Florida, and Chattanooga. Georgia State will have a week- end off and will compete again October 29th at UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate in Greensboro, N.C. for its final tournament of the Fall season.