April 26, 2011
MVC Final Results in PDF Format 
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. - In a third-round push at the 2011 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference, the Illinois State men's golf team took sole possession of second place at the Club at Porto Cima, carding a three-round 918 (312-315-291) Tuesday.
"It was a great team effort in the final round to move up the leader board," said head coach Ray Kralis. "I was very pleased to see them battle to the end. It would have been easy to hang our heads a bit after round two, but the team showed great character and mental toughness in finishing with the low round of the tournament in round three."
Senior Jeff Kellen started the tournament off with a five-over-par 77 in the first round Monday, but quickly regained a prominent position in the field, after recording a two-over-par 74 in the second round. Kellen did not let up going into the final round of the championship, as the senior improved with a two-under-par 70, moving him to within one stroke of first place. He finished the tournament with sole possession of third place with a 221 tally.
"Jeff Kellen finished off a great spring semester and college career one shot short of victory and a post-season berth," Kralis said. "But he continued to play big time shots in pressure situations and again put himself in contention for the title. These experiences will serve him well as he takes his game to the professional ranks."
Coming off a second-round 80, Eric Meier also improved in the final-round of play, as the junior shot an even 72. Meier ended the tournament with a three-round 23 and tied for 11th place.
Ricky Hearden followed the trend in the final round Tuesday, improving from a second-round 77, to a two-over-par 74. Hearden's three-round 232 placed him in a tie for 16th.
Both Wils Hawn (79-85-75) and Will Cullen (77-84-78) finished the championship in 28th place, as both Redbirds carded 239's.
"While we lose a ton of experience as Jeff and Will graduate, Eric, Ricky and Wils closed with great rounds and again showed why the future looks bright for Redbird golf," Kralis said.
Illinois State's second-place performance out-scored the Redbird's third-place performance in 2010 by 26 strokes.
Wichita State was able to take the team title at the conference championship for the fourth-consecutive year, after a three-round 903 (303-303-297). The Shockers' Tyler Gann (73-74-73) and Drake's Cody Schweinefus (69-74-77) shared first place, after both student-athletes recorded tallies of 220.
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