Malone University, ranked No. 7 in the latest NAIA poll, claimed the team title as the Pioneers shot a two-day total of 880 to cruise to a 23-stroke win over runner-up Cedarville University (903). Ohio Dominican University (920), MVNU (931), and Shawnee State University (943) rounded out the top five with the University of Northwestern Ohio (953), Roberts Wesleyan (N.Y.) College (966), Walsh University (968), Notre Dame College (976), and Daemen (N.Y.) College (987) completing the field.

Individually, Malone’s Justin Lower fired a one-under-par 215 over 54 holes to earn medalist and AMC Player of the Year honors. Cedarville’s Trevor Bowman was one stroke back with an even-par 216. The Cougars were led by sophomore Jay Ruffner (left), who tied for tenth place with a 229 to earn a spot on the All-AMC Team. Seniors Jared Schlabach and Tyler Tinch were one stroke behind at 230 each, while sophomore Cory Palmer and freshman Mitch Justice fired a 244 and a 245 respectively.

“In most sporting events, there has to be a winner,” said MVNU coach Mark Stiverson. “And we were one. Not from the traditional standpoint of having the lowest score in the field, but by shooting our best score of the spring. We have struggled all spring with weather, injuries, and combinations of both. While we still played without one regular tournament player, the team managed to shoot some personal lows for the year and come very close to taking third place. I am very pleased with the overall performance of the team and they should be proud of their performance. It was great to end on a high note.”