Men's Golf Takes Second Place at Valley Tournament

SILVIS, Ill. - In a battle to the end, the Illinois State men's golf team took second place at the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Golf Championship at TPC Deere Run Golf Course with a team score of 877 (297-294-286), just three strokes behind first place Wichita State (874). The two teams traded leads throughout the final round, coming down to the final holes, for one of the more dramatic finishes of the Valley Championships.

The Redbirds were led by sophomore Tyler Gentilella, whose outstanding performance and score of 215 (71-71-72), tied him for first place on the individual leaderboard. Gentilella fell to Witchita State's Chandler Rusk, in what turned into a three-hole individual playoff.

Head coach Ray Kralis was proud of what his team accomplished and overcoming the obstacles of the tournament.

"It's tough to end this season," Kralis said. "The guys have battled, competed and grown both as individuals and as a team. I couldn't have asked anything more, and it came down to the wire in that final round for the lead to jump back and forth the way it did. A lot of their hard work shows, especially with Tyler playing in a playoff and Wils having the low round of the tournament. It was a great year for the Redbirds, and I hate to see it end, but these guys can hold their heads high. They did everything they needed to do to win this championship, Wichita State was just a little bit better."

Senior Wils Hawn fired a personal-best and low round of the tournament, 67, in the third round to finish with an overall score of 216 (72-77-67), and third place on the individual leaderboard. Senior Parker Freiburg and junior Jordan Fahel ended the tournament tied for 14th place with score of 226 (80-73-73) (78-74-74), respectively. Junior Josh Edison finished with a score of 231 (76-75-80), and tied for 29th place.

Wichita State took first place with a team score of 874 (291-299-284), and Bradley finished in third with a score of 897 (305-291-301). It was the seventh-straight tournament title for the Shockers. Chandler Rusk tied for first with a score of 215 (70-75-70), winning the playoff against Gentilella.

For their efforts in the tournament and throughout the season, Freiburg, Hawn and Gentilella received All-Valley honors.

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