STANFORD, Calif. – Idaho Sophomore Joe Sykes climbed 24 spots over the final two rounds and finished tied for 44th at the Stanford NCAA Regional at the Stanford Golf Course in Stanford, California.
 
Sykes opened the weekend with a six-over 76, to close the day in a tie for tie for 68th but responded in the second-round.
 
He carded four birdies and no bogeys over the final 16 holes to finish day two three-under 67 and jump 21 spots.
 
His big response came from a great attitude and a post-round range session.
 
"Joe was amazing in his first NCAA regional appearance," Nuhn said. "I didn't feel like the moment was a distraction for him at all. I'm most proud of the way he attacked some issues after round one on the range, found something that was going to work, went out and played great rounds two and three. A lot of players wouldn't go out like he did. Without question a player that showed he belongs among the best players in the country. We are very proud of him and the way he represented Vandal golf this week."
 
On day three, he was up and down and closed with an even-par 70 to jump up three more spots in the standings and close at the 44th-place finish.
 
Sykes is a sophomore and added Big Sky Champion honors to his Big Sky Freshman of the Year honors last season. He, and the rest of the Vandal men's golf team will compete in the Big West beginning this upcoming season.