Senior Nick Knowlton (Bridgman, Mich./Bridgman) shot a score of even par and garnered medalist honors to help lead the Trine University men's golf team to a first place finish at the first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association event of the season hosted by Hope (Mich.) College at Wuskowhen Country Club in Forest Hills, Mich.

The Thunder with an overall team score of 296 strokes to take top honors among eight MIAA schools. Hope (Mich.) College was second with 306 strokes and Kalamazoo (Mich.) College rounded out the top three teams at 309 strokes.

In addition to Knowlton, three other Trine players shot rounds in the 70s that included the duo of junior Cameron Ruge (Coldwater, Mich./Coldwater) and senior Grant Brettnacher (Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) who both fired rounds of 73 strokes and placed in a tie for second overall. Knowlton finished with a 71 to take top individual accolades.

Freshman Mitch Lowney (Fenton, Mich./Clarkston Everest) had another solid tournament with a round of 79 strokes and placed in the top-20 with an 18th place finish. Senior Todd Mieske (Owosso, Mich./Owosso) completed the five-man team for Trine with a round of 84 strokes.

Senior Carlos Coeto (Barnardo, Mexico) competed as an individual and joined Ruge and Brettnacher in second place after carding a round of 73 strokes.

Trine will travel to Jackson, Mich. to take part in the two-day Adrian (Mich.) College Individual on Friday-Saturday, Sept. 13-14 at The Grande Golf Course. The first round on Friday is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.