The host Pioneers won the two-day event with a tournament-record 569 to finish seven-under-par and 21 strokes better than runner-up Mount Union College (590). Ohio Dominican University (592), Bethel (Ind.) College (604), and MVNU (616) rounded out the top five.

Individually, Lucas Murray from Mount Union claimed medalist honors with a nine-under-par 135 that included a tournament and course-record 64 on the final 18 holes as he edged Ohio Dominican’s Danny Sorgini, who finished three strokes back with a six-under-par 138 after carding a 69 on both rounds.

“I was pleased with our overall performance at Malone,” said MVNU coach Mark Stiverson. “Obviously, we want to win, but if we look at a trend for this young team then we are heading in the right direction. We improved our two-day score from the last tournament. If we can do that every tournament, then we are proceeding in the right direction and better things down the road.”

The Cougars were led by sophomore Jay Ruffner (left), who finished with a four-over-par 148. Senior Tyler Tinch posted a 152 that included a two-under-par 70 on the first round, while sophomore Alex Carroll shot a 157. Freshmen Mitch Justice and Adam Nichols carded a 161 and a 168 respectively to round out the scoring for MVNU.  Freshman Pat Freeh also posted a 171 as an at-large competitor.

“Jay has turned it on this fall with two good tournaments so far,” said Stiverson. “Tyler shot our low for a single day with a 70. Alex has been steady as usual despite a bum knee. The freshmen (Mitch and Adam) have been pressed into service really early and have been making contributions to the team. Everyone’s score was used at least once in this tournament which really makes it a team effort.”

The Cougars will return to action on Friday when the team will travel to the two-day Bethel (Ind.) College Invitational held at Indiana National Golf Course in Plymouth, Ind. MVNU also learned that the team qualified for the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament in Panama City Beach, Fla. That 18-team event will take place on October 13-14.

“Our fall performance has been impressive from a larger scale as we have received an invitation to the NCCAA National Tournament,” said Stiverson. “There are only 18 teams selected for this event and we are one of them. That says a lot about our progress to date.”