Bees finish in top 20 for fifth straight year

PLYMOUTH, Ind. -- After a stormy fourth round, the Fighting Bees finished the NAIA National Championships in 12th place.

For the Bees, the finish marked the fifth straight year they have finished in the top 20 in the country. After the third round they were ranked ninth, but wet and windy conditions hindered their progress during the fourth and final round.

Drew Chuipek was named an NAIA First Team All-American for the second straight year, and had the lowest score for the Bees, carding a 4-day total of 298 to finish 21st overall.

A couple other Bees collected awards at the National Championships as well. Senior Jimmy Marinelli was named the team's NAIA Champion of Character Award winner for the second straight season, and junior Tim Harrigan was named as an NAIA Academic All-American.

Marinelli is the team's lone senior, as SAU will reload next season and make a run at the NAIA National Championship. Over the past four seasons the Bees have finished in the top four twice (4th in 2006 and 3rd in 2004).