'Dog briefs: Patel and Fresno State both in third at golf tourney

Published online on Monday, Oct. 05, 2009

Fresno State's Bhavik Patel -- who in August advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur -- is in third place individually, and his 6-under 138 on Monday helped the Bulldogs trail leaders Wichita State and host Nevada by just one stroke after two rounds of the Wolfpack Classic in Reno.

In the first men's golf tournament of the season, Patel (71-67) had an eagle and 10 birdies. Grant Doverspike (72-70) is tied for eighth at 2 under, and Adam Barkow (71-72) is tied for 10th at 1 under.

"The team's expectations are high," said coach Mike Watney, whose Bulldogs shot 8-under 568. "They feel like at the top is where they belong. It was a great overall performance."

Going into today's third round, Wichita State's Dustin Garza leads at 10 under.

• The Bulldogs women's golf team is in 12th place after shooting a 310 to open the Heather Farr/CU Memorial before play was suspended because of wet and windy conditions in Boulder, Colo. The second round will be completed today before the final round. Hali Coppin is tied for 33rd for the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs goalie shares WAC award

Fresno State goalie Chrissy Smith -- coming off a shutout effort at Hawaii -- was named the Western Athletic Conference co-defensive player of the week.

Smith, a junior from Clovis West High, recorded her first collegiate shutout in her second start of the season to help the Bulldogs (3-8, 1-0 WAC) to a 1-0 victory late Sunday night in Honolulu. Smith made six saves as the women's soccer team earned its first win at Hawaii since 2005.

Smith shared the award with Idaho goalie Liz Ruiz.

'Dog advances in tennis qualifying

Fresno State senior Mirko Zapletal took one step toward qualifying for the main draw of the ITA All-American by defeating No. 63 Bryant Salcedo of Vanderbilt 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 in Tulsa, Okla.

Zapletal, who plays Duke's Henrique Chnha today, needs two more victories to advance to the main draw.

Bulldog runner earns scholar honor

Fresno State men's cross country runner Eric Battles was named an Emerging Scholar by the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

Battles, who attended Clovis West High and is majoring in political science as a member of the Smittcamp Family Honors College, was one of 60 sophomores nationwide to earn the recognition, which is based upon academic performance, leadership and service, as well as a personal statement.