Iowa's Best Compete As Cyclones

AMES, Iowa ? Iowa State head men's golf coach Jay Horton knows how important recruiting is to a program's success. He's also aware how vital it is to persuade the best players in the state of Iowa to stay home. By taking a quick glance at the ISU roster, you can tell that Horton is accomplishing those goals.

Horton can proudly boast the fact that three of the last four Iowa Class 4A High School state golf medalists will be carrying Cyclone bags in the fall. Junior Ben Herrera (2004 state champion, West Des Moines Valley), sophomore Nathan Leary (2006 state champion, Waterloo West) and freshman Nate McCoy (2007 state champion, West Des Moines Dowling) are all hoping to carry over their prep accomplishments to the collegiate level.

“It is always important to try to get the best players from Iowa,” Horton said. “It is with great pride that I can say that we are getting players like Herrera, Leary and McCoy to stay home.”

Herrera is the seasoned veteran and top returning scorer for the Cyclones. Herrera signed with Wisconsin after winning the 2004 Class 4A state title at Hunter's Ridge in Marion, Iowa. Herrera won his state prep title with a two-day 139 total (69-70), three shots ahead of Linn-Mar's Marc Gladson, who is currently a junior on the Wake Forest golf team. Herrera made the most of his first season with the Cyclones after transferring from Wisconsin, ranking second on the team in stroke average (73.45) in 2007-08.

Leary got a chance to play in 19 rounds as a true freshman last season, compiling a 76.15 stroke average. He won his state medalist title by two shots over current Iowa golfer Jared Walahoski of Johnston at the 2006 Class 4A state championship.

McCoy, whose father, Mike, has qualified for 11 U.S. Amateurs, is the newest member of ISU's state champion club. The Cyclone rookie demolished the field at the 2007 Class 4A state championship at the Mason City Country Club, winning by eight shots with a two-day total of 138 (68-70).

“I always want to look within the state borders first for the best talent,” Horton said. “It is fun to have these guys around. They are familiar with the program and they already have a passion for Iowa State.”

Players Mentioned

Ben Herrera

Ben Herrera

Nathan Leary

Nathan Leary

Nate McCoy

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