LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Dawson Lewis sank a pressure-packed putt on the 18th green to tie for individual medalist honors, and the Wichita State men's golf team held off host New Mexico State for a three-shot victory at the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate.

WSU (282-282-285 – 849) finished 3-under-par and posted its lowest 54-hole stroke total in over four years.

Both wins were the first under first-year head coach Judd Easterling.
 
"We had a couple of bad starts, but never got down, pouted or got away from the process," Easterling said. "We stayed positive, kept working and knew that at some point we'd get in a good 54. Today we held off a good team on its home course."
 
It was the Shockers' fourth team title in 17 appearance at the Herb Wimberly and first since 2012. Notably, Easterling was a player when WSU won the first two times (2002 and 2004).
 
In addition, Lewis became just the second Shocker golfer to win individual medalist honors at the event, joining Hunter Sparks (2011).
 
Lewis (67-69-71 – 207) entered Tuesday's final round with a three-stroke lead but needed some late heroics in order to salvage a tie with NMSU's Aidan Thomas, who fired a 6-under, 65 on Tuesday to make up the stagger.
 
Faced with a 10-foot par putt on No. 18, Lewis connected to secure a share of his first career victory.
 
Lewis' 207 shaved four strokes off of his career-low, set at last month's Joe Feaganes Invitational. The sophomore's best previous finish was a 14th-place tie.
 
"Dawson is a competitor who loves the grind," Easterling said. "The kid listens, does what we ask and puts in the hours. Now it's all starting to pay off."
 
Zac Owens (68-72-72 – 212) tied for third at 1-under-par.
 
Grayson Wallace fired a team-best 68 in the final round to move from 29th into a tie for 10th. It was his best finish and lowest 18-hole tally as a Shocker.
 
Wallace's score would prove pivotal for WSU, which began the day with an 11-stroke cushion but saw NMSU narrow the gap to three shots.
 
"Grayson stepped up big for us today," Easterling said. "He shot an almost bogey-free 68 and played really well for his first time seeing this golf course. I was really proud of his performance today."
 
Freshman Joe Bultman (73-71-74 – 218) bagged his second straight top-20 finish, tying for 19th, and teammate Brock Polhill (74-73-74 – 221) tied for 28th out of 63 entries.
 
Easterling first career win comes at the same site as former Shocker head coach Grier Jones', 1968 NCAA individual championship. That fact was not lost on Easterling.
 
"It was an emotional time for myself because of what he's done for this program. It was fitting," Easterling said. "He was the first guy I called to let him know that we had won. He was super proud of the guys."
 
The Shockers finish out their fall schedule Oct. 28-29 at the Intercollegiate at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Fla.
 

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Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate
Oct. 14-15, 2019
Las Cruces, N.M. (New Mexico State University Golf Course)
Final Results
 
Team Standings:
1. Wichita St. – 282-282-285 – 849 (-3)
2. New Mexico St. – 289-286-277 – 852 (E)
3. Abilene Christian – 288-291-285 – 852 (+12)
4. UTRGV – 301-286-280 – 867 (+15)
5. UTEP – 296-288-288 – 872 (+20)
6. Odessa College – 293-295-295 – 883 (+31)
7. Incarnate Word – 291-301-298 – 890 (+38)
8. Western Illinois – 307-299-300 – 906 (+54)
9. Houston Baptist – 308-303-296 – 907 (+55)
 
Individual Leaderboard:
t-1. Dawson Lewis (WSU) – 67-69-71 – 207 (-6)
t-1. Aiden Thomas (NMSU) – 72-70-65 – 207 (-6)
3. Cole Donielson (UTEP) – 68-73-70 – 211 (-2)
t-4. Zac Owens (WSU) – 68-72-72 – 212 (-1)
t-4. Oskar Ambrosius (UTEP) – 70-71-71 – 212 (-1)
 
t-10. Grayson Wallace (WSU) – 78-70-68 – 216 (+3)
t-19. Joe Bultman (WSU) – 73-71-74 – 218 (+5)
t-28. Brock Polhill (WSU) – 74-73-74 – 221 (+8)