Chico State Athletics

The Chico State men's golf team finished its fall season ranked No. 1 in the nation. The honor is due in large part to the much-improved play of Colby Dean. The Wildcat of the Week delivered his best collegiate performance to date at last week's Otter Invitational, helping lead the then second-ranked Wildcats to victory over top-ranked Nova Southeastern and Tournament host Cal State Monterey Bay, which was ranked No. 6.
 
Dean delivered consecutive 69s on Monday to help the Wildcats take the lead. His previous career-low round had been 71. The sophomore scored a 73 on Tuesday to finish 5-under par and just one shot out of a playoff for medalist honors at Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside.
 
Dean's third-place finish (out of 100 competitors) supplanted his season-opening 15^th-place effort for his collegiate best.
 
The 2015-16 season must seem like a brand new day for Dean. He's lowered his scoring average by six strokes while logging three straight top-25 finishes.
 
Dean's best finish in nine events as a true freshman was 19^th and his best round was a 71.
 
Dean and the Wildcats will be back in action on Feb. 8-9 at the Cal State San Marcos Cougar Invitational at Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista.