April 26, 2005
Silvis, Ill. -
The winning streak continues for the Illinois State men's golf team, taking the title of 2005 State Farm Missouri Valley Champions at the TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. Junior Kris Wildenradt led the Redbirds to victory firing a one-under-par 221 (70, 73, 69) to win medalist honors, two-strokes ahead of Wichita State's Ty Cline (214), and was named to the MVC all-conference team.
Wildenradt becomes the third Redbird in four years (Adam Goldie, 2002; Brian Anderson, 2004) to win medalist honors, while the `Birds team title is its fourth in MVC men's golf history. The Redbirds victory marks Ray Kralis' first MVC championship as men's head coach. Kralis took over the position this spring for Harland Kilborn who led the program for 25 years.
"When I got this job I wanted to give a conference championship back to Harland," Kralis said. "This is a great tribute to the man and the coach who put this group of guys together. His dedication got this program to where it is today, and I could not be more proud of our guys."
The Redbirds, who won the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Women's Championship last week, became the only current Valley school to sweep both the men's and women's golf titles in the same season. Tulsa swept three-straight titles in the 1990s.
Illinois State came into the MVC championship tournament off of a record breaking 14-stroke victory at the ASU Indian Classic, which was reduced to one-round due to inclement weather. Kralis credits the victory as a huge momentum builder going into the conference championship.
"As a coach it is always best to go into the conference championship off a win," Kralis said. "The team has raised its level of play. Our guys have a different mind set now and it shows."
The `Birds began the day with a four-stroke lead off of second place Wichita State. After giving up the lead during the first nine-holes the Redbirds rallied, posting eight birdies in the last nine holes to win by seven, scoring an 888 (287, 305, 296).
Two-time defending champion Wichita State finished in second behind the `Birds carding a 895, followed by Drake (902), SIU (905), Evansville (906), SMS (910), Northern Iowa (923), Creighton (957) and Bradley (958).
The `Birds low team score was supported by the fourth place finish of Matt Maskel who posted a three-round 221 (68, 78, 75), and was also named to the all-conference team. Senior Kyle Vasel carded three birdies down the stretch to finish in tenth with a 225 (74, 76, 75). Matt Miller rounded out the top 20 with a 230 (75, 78, 77), tied for 19th.
The Redbird's victory automatically qualifies them for the NCAA Regionals, and those parings will be announced next week.
