Kansas City, Mo. - The Missouri Southern Men's Golf team completed the three biggest rounds of the season at the MIAA Men's Conference Championship on Wednesday, April 17. The Lions competed at Shoal Creek Golf Club which played 7,011 yards and was set at a 71 par. The Lions fought through wind and heat and climbed the leaderboard each day to win their second consecutive MIAA and regular season championship by five strokes, as well as Luis Limón claiming the MIAA individual championship by three strokes and the MIAA Golfer of the Year.

The Lions ended day one with a statement performance. As a team, the Lions finished third and only were 5 strokes back from the leader. Individually, Ben Marckmann posted the only sub 70 round of the day with a 69 (-2) to lead the Championship. The number two ranked Luis Limón finished round one with a 72 (+1) which tied him for 6th individually. Josh Hamnett (75), Tradgon McCrae (76) and Dylan Bagley (77) all finished in the top 30 to give the Lions a 292 total score after day one in Kansas City.

Day two displayed that the Lions are capable of going back-to-back as they jumped from third to first, leading by seven strokes at one point, and lead most of the day until a rough few last holes ended the Lions day in second by seven strokes. The team's day two success was led by the strong individual play from Missouri Southern's Luis Limón who finished the round with a score of 75 (+4). With the 75, Limón tied for third individually with a total score of 147 (+5). Ben Marckmann, who led the Championship after day one, dropped only to 5th individually after shooting a round of 79 (+8) for day two. McCrae, Bagley and Hamnett all retained their positions in the top 30 individually as the Lions ended day two with a total score of 601.

The Lions began the final day on par with the rest of the groups and remained in second place through the front nine. The back nine was the difference maker. The Lions shot a combined -5 on the back nine to jump into first place and won the MIAA Championship by five strokes with a total score of 887 (+35). The win also secured the Lions the regular season championship as well with three wins of the four MIAA designated events. This is the second consecutive year that the Lions have accomplished both championships after claiming both after the 2022-23 season.

Luis Limón shot a final round best 70 (-1) and claimed the individual championship by three strokes with a total score of 217 (+4). The win also moved Limón into first of the MIAA rankings which gave him MIAA Golfer of the Year honors. This is the second consecutive year the Lions have claimed MIAA Golfer of the Year after Tradgon McCrae won the award a year ago. Limón also was awarded All-MIAA honors with the top 15 finish in the MIAA individual rankings.

Ben Marckmann had a fantastic last day and shot a 72 (+1) which gave him a total score of 220 (+7) and moved him up to tie for second individually at the MIAA Championship. The second place finish secured Marckmann's spot in the top 15 of the MIAA individual rankings and was also awarded All-MIAA honors.

Last year's MIAA Golfer of the Year Tradgon McCrae had his best round on the final day with a 71 (E) which gave him a total score of 224. The 224 total score placed McCrae in 10th individually at the MIAA Championship and also gave him All-MIAA honors.

Dylan Bagley also posted his best round for day three as he finished with a total score of 229 (+16) after shooting a 74 (+3). Bagley was a key in the Lions round three success as he posted a -3 on the back nine. Along with being named a MIAA Champion, Bagley also was named the 2024 Men's Golf Championship's "A Game" Scholar Athlete for his overall excellence as a student-athlete and contribution to the team's success.

Josh Hamnett also finished in the top half of individuals as he placed tied for 24th after shooting his best round of the MIAA Championship w"ith a 73 (+2) to give him a total score of 230 (+17).

"Amazing and well deserving student athletes. They never give up and always grind it out. I'm blessed to be their coach," said head coach Mike Wheeler.

The MIAA Coach of the Year will be announced Friday, April 19. After winning his first MIAA Coach of the Year last year, coach Mike Wheeler is most definitely a front runner for the back-to-back achievement after the win.