Final Results
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Freshman Trent Wallace claimed medalist honors Tuesday in the 2016 Missouri Valley Conference Championship with a 1-over-par 211 (73-69-69) at the par-70 Prairie Dunes Country Club. He fired a 1-under-par 69 in the third and final round – his second consecutive 69 – which tied his season low while allowing him to become the fifth student-athlete in program history to win the conference championship. The victory also established All-Missouri Valley Conference honors for Wallace, who finished with five birdies on the day. He was also named the MVC Newcomer of the Year.
Because he was the conference's medalist, Wallace automatically qualifies for next month's NCAA Golf Championship and will play at one of six regional sites, May 16-18. The National Championship is slated for May 27 - June 1 in Eugene, Oregon. Wallace finds out May 5 where he will be traveling to, as the selection show is slated that day at 8:30 a.m. on The Golf Channel.
As a team, the Redbirds finished in third place in the nine-team field with an 889 (293-296-300), 12 strokes behind tournament champion Southern Illinois, who finished with an 877 (289-293-295), and two strokes behind second-place Wichita State, who finished with an 887 (288-299-300). ISU shot a 20-over-par 300 in Tuesday's third and final round.
"Trent Wallace was fantastic this week! His 69 yesterday afternoon was strong, but today's 69 was even more impressive considering our position going into the final round and the heavier winds we faced all day," head coach Ray Kralis said. "His season was certainly deserving of the MVC Newcomer of the Year award, and he finished it with an exclamation point by taking the title that everyone wanted."
Junior Christian Crabill finished in 18th place with a 227 (69-80-78), after shooting an 8-over-par 78 in the final round. Sophomore Zach Burry (76-76-77) and senior Tyler Gentilella (75-74-80) both finished in a tie for 20th place, as the duo both ended the tournament with a 229. Burry shot a 7-over-par 77 in the final round, while Gentilella carded an 80, but his score did not count towards the team's overall total in the round.
Rounding out the scoring for the Redbirds was freshman Michael Mounce, who shot a 6-over-par 76 to finish with a 230 (77-77-76), which was good enough for a 24th-place tie.
The Salukis will also represent the MVC at next month's NCAA Tournament.
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