April 27, 2010
Final Stats
HUTCHINSON, Kan. -
The Illinois State men's golf team was unable to gain any ground on first-place Wichita State during the final round at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship Tuesday. The Redbirds finished in third place, posting a 104-over-par 944 (325-316-303), marking the 10th-straight season Illinois State has finished in the top-three of the tournament.
"We hate to finish off the year on this note. We had some high expectations coming in and it just didn't play out for us," said head coach Ray Kralis. "It wasn't from a lack of effort, though. With the three seniors here, it would have been tremendous to have them go out on a winning note. They have meant so much to the program and I hate to see it come to an end like this for those guys."
The Redbirds were led by junior Jeff Kellen, who finished tied for eighth place after firing a 23-over-par 233 (82-75-76). Kellen's efforts led him to his second All-Valley selection. He was joined by senior Tommy Bliefnick, who was named All-Valley for the third-straight season. The Decatur, Ill., native finished his final collegiate tournament in 22nd place with a 31-over-par 241 (83-82-76).
Sophomore Eric Meier tied for 16th place, carding a 28-over-par 238 (82-81-75). Senior Kyle Bragg shot a 29-over-par 239 (85-78-76), which put him in 19th place. Senior Joe Emerich tied for 27th place with a 34-over-par 244 (78-84-82).
"Overall we just never got any momentum going. We played a little bit better today, but we just did not play like we thought we were going to," Kralis said. "We only had one guy in the top-15 and coming in here with the talent we have we expected more, but we just didn't play well enough as a team collectively. Everyone is strong and when we play well together we do awfully well, but it just didn't fall together this week. We'll move forward and keep our heads up."
Wichita State once again claimed the team title, firing an 82-over-par 922 (316-308-298). Southern Illinois took second place with a 93-over-par 933 (314-311-308).
Dustin Garza of Wichita State took home the individual-title, posting a 13-over-par 223 (78-75-70). Anders Engell of Wichita State and Brad Reierson of Drake tied for second place after each carded a 17-over-par 227.
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