The ISU men’s golf team is sending a message to the rest of the Big 12 – they are a force to be reckoned with.

Five days after winning the Big Four Championship, the Cyclones once again put up a strong showing, this time at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational in Colorado Springs, hosted by the Air Force Academy.

The team finished the weekend tied for first with Wichita State with a score of 852 (-12). The Shockers defeated the Cyclones in a playoff, according to the Air Force athletics Web site, www.goairforcefalcons.com.

The Shockers needed a record performance from senior Ryan Spears to top the Cyclones. Spears earned the individual champion title after shooting a tournament record score of 203 (-13).

The Cyclones had three players finish in the top 10 of the standings. Senior Chris Baker, who led after the first day, finished the tournament in second place with a score of 207 (-9). Right behind Baker in the standings was teammate Cedric Bertin with a score of 210. Senior Joe Cermak rounded out the Cyclone contingent with a score of 214, tying him for 10th overall.

Coach Jay Horton was pleased with the showing of his entire team, especially newcomer Nathan Leary, who competed in his first meet to finish tied for 19th with a score of 218 (+2).

“As a team, we played exceptionally well. Leary played a great tournament and was able to finish in the top 20 individually,” Horton said.

Leary, the freshman from Waterloo, entered his first collegiate tournament with realistic expectations.

“My goal going into the tournament was to finish in the top 20,” Leary said. “I was really happy with my play today and hope that I can continue it throughout the season.”

Iowa State will now have nearly a monthlong break before playing again Oct. 1 in the VCU Mattaponi Springs Shootout in Richmond, Va.