DUNCAN, Okla. – Matt Vela placed seventh individually, helping St. Mary’s University to a 12th place team finish at the NCAA Midwest/South Central Region Men’s Golf Tournament, played Wednesday at The Territory Golf Club.

Vela (Jr., San Antonio) shot a one-over par 73 to finish the tournament with a 223 (73-77-73), just four strokes behind individual champion Justin Yoder of the University Central Missouri, who took medalist honors with three-over par 219 (68-78-73). Vela just missed on a chance to advance to the NCAA Championships as an individual, placing just one shot behind Seth Fair of the University of Indianapolis.

Sam Jernigan (So., San Antonio) shot a final round 77 to finish with a 229 (75-77-77), good for 31st overall. Jeff Rein (Jr., San Antonio) finished 38th with a 230 (72-77-81), James Grant (Sr., San Antonio) was 87th with a 244 (78-86-80) and Tim Paiz (Fr., San Antonio) was 95th with a 246 (85-83-78).

The University of Central Missouri won the team title, rallying from six strokes down entering the final round to edge Wayne State University by a single stroke, 904 to 905. Ferris State University was third with a 908, Bellarmine University was fourth with a 909 and host Cameron University was fifth with a 910. Those five teams will advance to the NCAA Championships next week. St. Mary’s finished 12th with a 920, 16 strokes behind Central Missouri and 10 strokes behind Cameron.

With the Rattlers finish Wednesday, they finished the 2009-2010 season. Four of the Rattlers top five players return for the 2010-2011 season, including Vela.

Back to top