The Missouri State men's golf team is in eighth place of nine teams after 36 holes at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship in Davenport, Iowa. The Bears shot 306-300--606 Monday (Apr. 21) in two trips around the Davenport Country Club layout, but are just nine strokes from fifth in the nine-team field that is tightly bunched in the middle.
Pre-meet favorite Wichita State jumped out to a big lead on the first day, firing 287-279--566 to take a commanding 15-shot lead over surprising Southern Illinois, which shot 581 after being picked to finish fifth in the coaches poll. Evansville and Creighton, picked seventh and eighth, respectively, are tied for third at 595, with Drake at 597, UNI 598 and Illinois State 599. Bradley is in last place with 626.
Senior John Cronly leads MSU and is tied for ninth overall after posting 76-70--146. Freshman Jack Courington is tied for 21st at 75-76--151, while senior Damaso Carrera is 37th with 80-76--156. Sophomore Jay McBride shot 80-78--158 for 40th place and sophomore Ryan Weinhaus is 41st after shooting 75-85--160. Connor McHenry of Wichita State shot 72-66--138 to take a one-stroke edge over Andy White of UNI in the medalist race.
Tuesday's final round is slated for an 8 a.m. start. with tee times off both nines.
