University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Monday, February 17
Laredo, Texas
8 a.m.
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
at
Border Olympics
Louisiana Finishes Strong To Claim Border Olympics
2/18/2025 9:13:00 PM | Golf
Ragin' Cajuns claim six-stroke win over Houston, NM State to claim title
LAREDO, Texas – Malan Potgieter posted a 1-under-par 70 and helped lead three players in the top 11 as the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Golf team claimed the 2025 Border Olympics on Tuesday at Laredo Country Club.
The win was Louisiana's first since claiming the 2023 Argent Financial Classic. The Ragin' Cajuns, ranked No. 97 nationally in the Clippd rankings entering the tournament and one of nine top-100 teams in the field, posted a team score of 1-under-283 in the final round to finish at 855 for the 54-hole event and six strokes ahead of New Mexico State and tournament host Houston.
"I'm very proud of the team, as you look at the scores, this course and the conditions this week were extremely challenging," head coach Theo Sliman said. "Our team played with poise and toughness. More importantly, our approach this week was one of belief that we can win.
"This is a huge victory for our program and a very special one for me. Our program has had a long relationship with the Border Olympics. I remember Coach (Bob) Bass taking our team to play in this event 25 years ago, instilling in us the respect we have for this tournament and the Laredo community. We will always cherish this tournament, and I am excited to see this victory push our team, having them work even harder than ever."
Potgieter and Kyle Bennett each recorded a 54-hole score of 2-under-par 211 to finish in a tie for third in the event. Bennett, who was tied for the individual lead after 36 holes, recorded an even-par 71 in the final round for Louisiana.
Eli Ortego added an even-par 71 and finished tied for 11th overall for the Ragin' Cajuns at 2-over 215 with Jean Louis du Plessis placing 40th at 9-over 222. Carter Schmitt, who posted an even-par 71 in the final round, placed 59th at 14-over 227.
Houston (861) and NM State (861) followed Louisiana in the 16-team field with Michigan (863) finishing fourth and Rice (865) fifth. Miami-Ohio (870), Sam Houston (872), Lipscomb (872), Troy (874) and ULM (880) rounded out the top 10.
Louisiana will make a quick turnaround for its next event when it travels to Henderson, Nevada to compete in the Lake Las Vegas Intercollegiate. The three-day event begins on Monday (February 24) and will conclude on Wednesday (February 26).
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@RaginCajunsGolf) or check RaginCajuns.com for Louisiana golf updates.
BORDER OLYMPICS
February 17-18, 2025
Laredo, Texas (Laredo Country Club)
Par 71, 7,257 yards
TEAM SCORING
1. Louisiana 286-286-283-855; T2. Houston 284-291-286-861; T2. New Mexico State 284-292-285-861; 4. Michigan 283-296-284-863; 5. Rice 296-286-283-865; 6. Miami (Ohio) 288-291-291-870; 7. Sam Houston 291-297-284-872; T7. Lipscomb 301-288-283-872; 9. Troy 287-304-283-874; 10. ULM 284-303-293-880; 11. Augusta 299-300-289-888; 12. Wright State 291-308-297-896; 13. UTRGV 296-297-304-897; T14. Lamar 290-305-303-898; T14. Illinois State 304-296-298-898; 16. Houston Christian 306-307-295-908.
LOUISIANA INDIVIDUALS
T3. Kyle Bennett 70-70-71-211; T3. Malan Potgieter 69-72-70-211; T11. Eli Ortego 74-70-71-215; T40. Jean Louis du Plessis 73-74-75-222; T59. Carter Schmitt 80-76-71-227.
The win was Louisiana's first since claiming the 2023 Argent Financial Classic. The Ragin' Cajuns, ranked No. 97 nationally in the Clippd rankings entering the tournament and one of nine top-100 teams in the field, posted a team score of 1-under-283 in the final round to finish at 855 for the 54-hole event and six strokes ahead of New Mexico State and tournament host Houston.
"I'm very proud of the team, as you look at the scores, this course and the conditions this week were extremely challenging," head coach Theo Sliman said. "Our team played with poise and toughness. More importantly, our approach this week was one of belief that we can win.
"This is a huge victory for our program and a very special one for me. Our program has had a long relationship with the Border Olympics. I remember Coach (Bob) Bass taking our team to play in this event 25 years ago, instilling in us the respect we have for this tournament and the Laredo community. We will always cherish this tournament, and I am excited to see this victory push our team, having them work even harder than ever."
Potgieter and Kyle Bennett each recorded a 54-hole score of 2-under-par 211 to finish in a tie for third in the event. Bennett, who was tied for the individual lead after 36 holes, recorded an even-par 71 in the final round for Louisiana.
Eli Ortego added an even-par 71 and finished tied for 11th overall for the Ragin' Cajuns at 2-over 215 with Jean Louis du Plessis placing 40th at 9-over 222. Carter Schmitt, who posted an even-par 71 in the final round, placed 59th at 14-over 227.
Houston (861) and NM State (861) followed Louisiana in the 16-team field with Michigan (863) finishing fourth and Rice (865) fifth. Miami-Ohio (870), Sam Houston (872), Lipscomb (872), Troy (874) and ULM (880) rounded out the top 10.
Louisiana will make a quick turnaround for its next event when it travels to Henderson, Nevada to compete in the Lake Las Vegas Intercollegiate. The three-day event begins on Monday (February 24) and will conclude on Wednesday (February 26).
Fans are encouraged to stay engaged with the Ragin' Cajuns by downloading the #GeauxCajuns app. Click here for iOS/Apple platforms and here for Android platforms.
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (@RaginCajunsGolf) or check RaginCajuns.com for Louisiana golf updates.
BORDER OLYMPICS
February 17-18, 2025
Laredo, Texas (Laredo Country Club)
Par 71, 7,257 yards
TEAM SCORING
1. Louisiana 286-286-283-855; T2. Houston 284-291-286-861; T2. New Mexico State 284-292-285-861; 4. Michigan 283-296-284-863; 5. Rice 296-286-283-865; 6. Miami (Ohio) 288-291-291-870; 7. Sam Houston 291-297-284-872; T7. Lipscomb 301-288-283-872; 9. Troy 287-304-283-874; 10. ULM 284-303-293-880; 11. Augusta 299-300-289-888; 12. Wright State 291-308-297-896; 13. UTRGV 296-297-304-897; T14. Lamar 290-305-303-898; T14. Illinois State 304-296-298-898; 16. Houston Christian 306-307-295-908.
LOUISIANA INDIVIDUALS
T3. Kyle Bennett 70-70-71-211; T3. Malan Potgieter 69-72-70-211; T11. Eli Ortego 74-70-71-215; T40. Jean Louis du Plessis 73-74-75-222; T59. Carter Schmitt 80-76-71-227.
Players Mentioned
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