CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - In a soggy final day of the Aldila Scenic City Invitational, the Shockers finished in second while senior
Dustin Garza tied for his fourth individual title of the fall.
Wichita State shot two-over par as a team (290) on Tuesday to hold on to second place. Tournament champion Middle Tennessee State climbed back from a nine-stroke deficit after day one to defeat the Shockers by three strokes.
"Middle Tennessee played an incredible round to come from behind today," Head Coach
Grier Jones said. "Any team that shoots -10 the last day in steady rain on a good golf course deserves to win."
Garza capped off an impressive fall with a 210 (69-68-73) to tie for first place with Kent Bulle and Hunter Green both of Middle Tennessee State. The individual medalist honor marked Garza's fourth in five fall tournaments. The All-American shot an average round of two-under par (70.2) in fifteen rounds this fall.
"It was great to see Dustin cap off the fall with a win," Jones said. "He played with a lot of maturity this week and earned it."
Fellow senior
Connor McHenry moved up three spots from Monday's performance, shooting a 72 on Tuesday to finish at 212 (68-72-72) and tied for sixth. Freshman
Tyler Gann also shot his career-low 68 in the second round to help guide him to a 216 (71-68-77) overall to tie him for 17th.
Freshman
Hunter Sparks also notched a career low in Tennessee. He fired a 69 on Tuesday to finish the fall season with a 218 (78-71-69) and tied for 25th.
Anders Engell jumped up nine spots from day one, tying for 62nd with a 230 (77-77-76).
"This week was definitely an improvement from UMKC," Jones said. "I was pleased with the way we played with the lead today. 290 was a very good score in difficult conditions."
The Shockers now return to their practice schedule until play resumes February 15-16. WSU will open its spring at the UTSA Oak Hills Invitational in San Antonio, Texas.
-Wichita State-