Final Results

LEMONT, Ill. - After a dramatic back and forth final 18 holes, the Wichita State men's golf team edged out Illinois State by five strokes to win its 21st Missouri Valley Conference Championship and 15th title in the past 21 seasons.

The Shockers entered the day only one stroke ahead of the Redbirds after two rounds of golf with the final three holes of the tournament proving to be a nail-biter. With the championship going down to the wire, Yannik Emmert, Grant Bennett and Conrad Walcher held their nerve to secure the victory for Wichita State who eventually finished clear of Illinois State who pushed them all the way.

Emmert led the Shockers in his first Missouri Valley Conference Championship with an even-par 72 in the final round to claim second place individually. The sophomore from Germany carded a 3-over 75 in round one followed by even-par 72's in the final two rounds to finish with 219 overall, a single stroke behind the individual tournament winner for his fifth top-10 finish of the season. For his performances this season Emmert was named the Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Year and to the All-Conference team. 

After leading through the first two rounds, Bennett eventually finished tied for third after finishing a further stroke behind Emmert on 220. The senior from Prosper, Texas, shot a 1-over 73, even-par 72 and 3-over 75 through the three rounds to claim his third top-10 finish of the season before earning All-Conference honors following the tournament. 

Jacob Bishop finished in seventh position, his highest of the season, after carding a 2-over 74 in the final round. Bishop finished with 223 overall behind a 1-over 73 and 4-over 76 in rounds one and two.

Conrad Walcher finished a stroke behind Bishop with 224 and tied for eighth individually. Walcher carded his best two rounds of golf in the final two rounds with a even-par 72 and 2-over 74 to help the Shockers to victory. 

Gage Ihrig finished the tournament tied for 32nd, carding his best score in the first round with a 3-over 75. Ihrig shot 79 in round two and 81 in round three to finish with 235 overall.

As a team the Shockers finish with 883 after carding 295 in the final round as they bring their time in the Missouri Valley Conference to a close by leaving a legacy of 21 conference titles, more than any other school in The Valley. Illinois State finished in a clear second place with 888 and Northern Iowa rounded out the top three with 899. 

Head coach Grier Jones earned Coach of the Year honors following the Shockers' victory for a league-best 14th time. 

The Shockers now wait to learn which NCAA Regional site they will be participating at with dates and times to be announced. The five teams with the lowest average scores at the Regional site will qualify for the NCAA Championship held in Sugar Grove, Ill., May 26-31 hosted by Northern Illinois University. 

Player Results
2. Yannik Emmert: 75-72-72-219
T3. Grant Bennett: 73-72-75-220
7. Jacob Bishop: 73-76-74-223
T8. Conrad Walcher: 78-72-74-224
T32. Gage Ihrig: 75-79-81-235

Team Results
1. Wichita State: 296-292-295-883
2. Illinois State: 290-299-299-888
3. Northern Iowa: 295-304-300-899
4. Missouri State: 301-305-302-908
5. Southern Illinois: 308-311-296-915
6. Evansville: 303-312-301-916
7. Bradley: 308-302-317-927
8. Drake: 312-307-310-929
9. Loyola: 310-314-325-949

All-Conference Team
Yannik Emmert, Wichita State
Ethan Brue, Bradley
Grant Bennett, Wichita State
Tyler Gray, Evansville
Adam Fisher, Missouri State
Zach Burry, Illinois State
Sam DeBartolo, UNI
Peyton Wilhoit, Southern Illinois
Drake Bushong, Bradley
Trent Wallace, Illinois State
 
Golfer of the Year:   Yannik Emmert, Wichita State
Newcomer of the Year:  Ethan Brue, Bradley
Elite 18 Award:   Brad Carpenter, Missouri State
Coach of the Year:   Grier Jones, Wichita State.