Finishing second in the consolation flight of the Akron Firestone Classic seemed to please NIU men’s golf coach Jack Pheanis.

Even though the Huskies finished 20th overall, the Huskie boss had reason to grin after finishing next to last in the Marshall Invitational.

Kent State took championship honors at the Firestone Classic, five strokes ahead of runner-up Augusta College.

In the consolation flight, Iowa State edged the Huskies by three strokes 917-920. Jim Webb (75-76-69=220) and Mark Hankins (72-77-74=223) paced the Cyclones, while NIU was led by Mike Briggs (76-75-75=226) and Ted Meyer (75-76-75=226).

The tournament included 36 schools, believed to be the largest collegiate tournament ever assembled.

After all 36 teams played both the north and west courses during Saturday’s opening 36 holes, the top 18 squads played the north layout while the remainder battled the west course again creating two flights.

Other Huskies carding scores were Mark Voeller (76-80-77=223), Rick Stewart (79-79-77=235) and Doug Wegrzyn (86-83-86=255).

The Huskies compete next in the Ohio State University Kepler Inter-Collegiate Invitational at Columbus, Ohio, this weekend.

NIU will sponsor the Fourth Annual NIU/Miller Lite Midwestern Invitational Tournament May 4-5 at the Oak Club, Genoa. The par-72, 7,004-yard layout serves as the locale for this year’s expanded 18-team field for the 54-hole tourney.

“I think the Oak Club course can be an exceptional test of golfing skills,” Pheanis said. “You not only have to hit it long, but you have to keep it straight.”