April 24, 2007

Results

MISSION HILLS, Kan. - Sophomore Ben Murphy fired his career-low 18-hole score in the final-round, shooting a four-under-par 66 to lead the Illinois State men's golf team to its first Missouri Valley Conference Championship in two years Tuesday at the 2007 State Farm MVC Championship. Murphy, who finished the tournament in second place, was named to the Valley's all-conference team as the Redbirds defeated tournament-host Wichita State by 13 strokes at the Kansas City Country Club in Mission Hills, Kan. The `Birds will advance to the NCAA Regional as the Valley's automatic bid.

The Dunlap, Ill., native ended his record-breaking day with a total of even-par 210 (72, 72, 66), becoming the lowest 54-hole tally in his collegiate career.

Murphy was joined on the all-conference team by senior Matt Miller, who finished the tournament in fourth place with a total of three-over-par 213 (71, 72, 70). Miller was also named the conference's Golfer of the Year for his outstanding performance during the season, which included six top-10 finishes as well as individual titles at the 12th Annual UTSA Intercollegiate (Feb. 19-20), Stevinson Ranch Invitational (March 26-27) and Branson Creek Invitational (April 2-3).

Illinois State had three of its five players finish in the top-six as Murphy, Miller and freshman Drew Miller, who finished in sixth place, were automatic selections to the all-conference team. Drew Miller carded a three-round score of 217 (72, 71, 74). It was also the first time the `Birds have had three players earn all-conference nods in the same season since 1999, when Dan Cerny, Nic Baker and Antonio Olivio were Valley all-conference team members.

The `Birds entered the final day with an 11 stroke lead over the Shockers and never looked back, ending the tournament with a score of 853 (283, 289, 281). The Redbirds' team tally also broke the previous school record of 888 (2005) for a championship team total score.

"I am extremely proud of how our guys played and conducted themselves," said head coach Ray Kralis. "They handled themselves like true champions, from start to finish. We had a total team effort - all the way through. We did just a great job of playing one shot at a time and not getting ahead of ourselves. We knew Wichita State was going to try to make a run, and the guys were able to respond and get the job done.

"It is such a gratifying win for us. We continued to get better as the season progressed and dealt with some adversity early in the season. I couldn't have written a better ending for the year and it was a great win for the Redbirds."

Kralis, who is also the ISU women's golf mentor, was named the 2007 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year, becoming the first coach in conference history to win the award as both men's and women's head coach. Kralis has previously won the award twice (2003, 2005) as women's head coach of the year.

"I am honored to have been named coach of the year," said Kralis. "I know it is something that the other coaches vote on, but this type of honor doesn't happen without the hard work from (assistant) coach Pina Gentile as well as the collective effort from the guys. I am humbled, as well as proud of the way our team was able to bring home the title."

Freshman Tommy Bliefnick entered the final day in second place, however, slipped to 11th and ended with a total of 222 (68, 74, 80). Senior Ryan Brown picked up his play and rebounded from a rough first day, shooting a one-over-par 71 in the final day to help secure the Redbirds' victory. Brown ended the tournament tied for 26th, carding a total of 230 (77, 82, 71).

Wichita State finished the MVC championship in second place, carding a team total of 866. Creighton (893) finished in third, while Southern Illinois placed fourth with a score of 898. Drake (901) ended the tournament in fifth place, Missouri State and Northern Iowa tied for sixth (906) and Evansville (910) finished eighth.

In-state rival Bradley finished the championship in ninth, shooting a team total of 74-over-par 914 (312, 298, 304).

Creighton's John Sutko took home medalist honors, winning the individual championship with a score of four-under-par 206 (70, 68, 68). Wichita State's Ryan Spears (third place), Cameron Bishop (fifth place) and Dustin Garza were named to the MVC All-Conference Team as well as Drake's Ross Hamann, Northern Iowa's Jordan Weber and Matt Sullivan of Missouri State. Garza was also named the conference's Newcomer of the Year for his play during the season.

"Today's win certainly looks great for the future, as we have a young team," said Kralis. "But we are not going to get ahead of ourselves, because we have our sights set on the NCAA Regional. We will continue to stay sharp as we prepare for the regional tournament, looking to advance to the NCAA Championship."

The Redbirds will learn where they will continue their season on Monday, May 7, when the NCAA announces the Division I Regional pairings. More information will be announced at a later date.