MANAKIN SABOT, Va. -- The Wichita State men's golf team overcame a slow opening round, and claimed a share of fifth place at the VCU Shootout, hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University Oct. 1-2 at the Hermitage Country Club in Manakin Sabot, Va. Senior Ryan Spears paced the Shockers with a three-round score of 213 and finished in a tie for ninth place at the event.

Facing its toughest tournament field of the season, the Shockers struggled through the tournament's first round, compiling a team score of 295, but turned it around in the final rounds. Led by a second-round 68 from Ty Sanders, Wichita State improved its team score by 13 strokes, and jumped into a tie for eighth place after the first day of play.  

When play resumed with the final round on Tuesday, the Shockers continued their climb. A final-round of 67 by Zac Potter helped Wichita State jump four spots, finishing with a team score of 861 and tied for fifth place with Virginia Tech. Penn State took the tournament title with a 54-hole score of 845.

While Spears' 213 led the Shocker squad, the rest of his team wasn't far behind. Connor McHenry posted a 218 to finish tied for 26th place, while Sanders and Potter both finished in a tie for 34th with identical scores of 219. Sophomore Dustin Garza was one stroke behind in a tie for 41st with a three-round score of 220.

Next week the Shockers travel to Lufkin, Texas to compete in the Bill Hill Crown Classic hosted by Stephen F. Austin University.