2016 MVC Men's Golf Championship Final Results

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - Freshman Orion Yamat fired a team-low 79, while senior PJ Riner and sophomore Garret Buckley led the way for the Loyola University Chicago men's golf team on the individual leaderboard as the Ramblers wrapped up play at the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Golf Championship in Hutchinson, Kan. this afternoon.

Loyola finished in ninth place with a team score of 938 (309-300-329). Southern Illinois (289-293-295=877) used a final-round 295 to pull away from Wichita State (288-299-300=887) to claim the team title and end the Shockers' impressive run that saw them capture eight-straight league championships. Illinois State's Trent Wallace (73-69-69=211) fired a one-under-par 69, the only sub-par round of the day, to take home medalist honors.

"Have to say that I am very proud of PJ," Loyola Director of Golf Erik Hoops commented. "He worked his tail off this spring to get his game ready and was really playing his best golf of his life coming in. A few bad breaks led to some struggles but as a senior, all you can ask is to come as prepared as you can. He has had a great career and was a great team leader for us this spring. For everyone else, we did have some positives this week. Yesterday we had one of the low rounds of the day going, and it showed we have the talent to play right along with the other teams in the conference. Now hopefully we can come up with some good plans for the off season and get ourselves ready for the fall."

Yamat paced the attack for the Maroon & Gold on the final day of competition in Central Kansas. The Niles, Ill. product fired his second consecutive round of 79, sinking three birdie putts, as he finished in sole possession of 39th place on the individual leaderboard with a 54-hole total of 239 (81-79-79) to wrap up a fine freshman campaign.

Riner (75-71-84) and Buckley (74-74-82) closed the event as Loyola's top finishers on the individual leaderboard as part of a six-way tie for 24th at 230. Riner, out of Johns Creek, Ga., capped off his collegiate career with an 84, while Buckley, a native of Novi, Mich., carded an 82.

Rounding out the Rambler lineup was the pairing of junior Michael Valletti and sophomore Kenny Mleko. Valletti turned in a final-round 86 that earned the Plano, Texas product a share of 41st at 242 (79-77-86). Mleko, who made his postseason debut for the Maroon & Gold at the league meet, posted an 84 to conclude play with a three-round tally of 249 (87-78-84). The Arlington Heights, Ill. native finished in a tie for 44th.

Loyola is slated to return eight letterwinners, including three of its top four stroke averages, when it returns to action this fall.