CHICAGO (July 14, 2023) – Loyola University Chicago head men's golf coach Erik Hoops announced the signing of two golfers for the 2023-24 season. Hoops is set to welcome Jackson Overton (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola High), as well as Zach Mulhearn, who redshirted the previous season with the University of St. Thomas.
 
ZACH MULHEARN
Wheaton, Ill • St. Francis High School • University of St. Thomas (MN)
 
Mulhearn enjoyed plenty of high school success under head coach Greg Baresel at St. Francis High School, taking regional medalist honors in 2019 as well as runner-up honors in 2020. Mulhearn also played his way onto the All-Sectional Team in 2020. Outside of high school, he has played in the Illinois Open since he was 15 years old, while also placing in second at the CDGA Amateur in 2022.

In his first collegiate season in 2021-22, Mulhearn averaged 77.1 strokes over 11 rounds at the University of St. Thomas. In his debut tournament, Mulhearn carded a seven-under-par 65 in his second round, a mark that puts him one stroke off of the individual record at St. Thomas. His highest finish on the season was at the Duel at Dacotah, where he took 13^thplace. 
 
Hoops on Mulhearn: "Although he redshirted the spring, I can already see the talent that Zach will be bringing to the course this upcoming fall. He had a great summer and a solid first year at St. Thomas, but I think he has now found a little more comfortable position here in his hometown area and will really start to thrive. Was happy to give him an opportunity when you have someone of his background and ability in the golf atmosphere but also in the classroom. When he mentioned wanting to transfer, he told us Loyola was at the top of his list."
 
JACKSON OVERTON
Indianola, Iowa • Indianola High School
 
Competed for head coach Anthony Gallagher at Indianola High School, winning the Little Hawkeye Conference Championship in 2021 and 2022. His play in his senior year earned him First Team All-State (Class 4A) honors by the Iowa High School Coaches Association in 2022. His 73.5 scoring average ranked 4^th within the state of Iowa's Class of 2023. Outside of high school, he carded runner up finishes at the Iowa PGA John Deere Classic Jr. Open (67-75), as well as the HJGT College Prep Series at Iowa (72-71), while also finishing in 3^rd at the Iowa OGA Section 46^th Iowa Boys PGA Championship (74-72). He was also awarded the Senior Scholar Athlete Award within the Little Hawkeye Conference in 2022.
 
Hoops on Overton: "Jackson is the type of student athlete I have recruited in the past who will work very well in our program. A multi-sport athlete who checks all the boxes physically to be ready to play golf at this level. The amount of results he has gotten out of his golf game with really only having the goal of playing college golf in the last year is pretty astonishing. Once it is his main focus, I know he will soon see some huge strides made. I am very much looking forward to having him join us in the fall."
 
Hoops' squad is coming off of a second-place finish in their first season in the Atlantic 10 Conference. In addition to Mulhearn and Overton, Hoops is set to welcome back five letterwinners for the 2023-24 season.