Malone University captured its fourth NCCAA national title by finished with a two-day total of 592 to edge runner-up Dallas Baptist (Texas) University (606) by 14 strokes. After firing a tournament-record 290 on the first day, the Pioneers shot a respectable 302 on the second day to cap off their title. North Greenville (S.C.) University and Southern Wesleyan (S.C.) University tied for third place at 617, while Southeastern (Fla.) University, Cedarville University, and Campbellsville (Ky.) University tied for fifth at 620 with Southeastern, the defending champion, shooting the best round of the second day with a 298. MVNU finished 13th at 637 with a 319 on the second day after a 318 on the first day.

“We played pretty well on both days except that we needed a decent fourth score each day,” said MVNU coach Mark Stiverson. “After the first day, we were in the middle of the pack (tied for ninth). The field was good enough that I knew we would have a difficult time trying to move up in the standings. You cannot spot the field 10 strokes at the national championship tournament and expect them to let you back into contention. I still felt we could climb to a decent position on day two.”

Individually, Justin Lower of Malone finished with a four-under-par total of 140 to earn medalist honors by four strokes over teammate Ben Smith and Bennett Smith of Dallas Baptist who both shot an even-par 144. That trio joined the next 11 lowest-scoring players to make up the 14-team NCCAA All-American Team.

Freshman Mitch Justice (above) just missed making the NCCAA All-American Team for the Cougars as he finished two strokes off the cut with a 154 to tie for 18th place to lead MVNU as he shot a 76 on the second day. Sophomore Alex Carroll carded a 155, while senior Tyler Tinch shot a 164. Senior Jared Schlabach finished with a 165 in his first action of the fall due to an injury as he finished well with a 77 on the second day. Meanwhile, sophomore Jay Ruffner rounded out the scoring with a 174.

“There are several good things about this team and one is that anyone on the team can shoot the scores,” said Stiverson. “However, we have been having a consistency problem and the inconsistency problem is a higher score than normal. But, I am proud of the way the guys would grind out a round despite not always playing well.”

“It was also good to welcome back Jared who has been injured all fall season,” said Stiverson. “He played great the second day. Mitch also had a great tournament firing our team’s low score. While the result was disappointing, we know what areas we have to work on during the off-season and I believe (the players) will work harder than ever to come out firing in the spring. I’m looking forward to seeing how far we will have come.”

The Cougars will return to action in March when the spring portion of the team’s schedule unfolds. Until then, they will continue to work on their game as the weather allows in addition to working indoors once the weather forces them inside.