Back to Back: Brescia (Ky.) claims RSC Men's Golf Championship again

4/17/2019 12:00:00 AM

FLORENCE, Ind. -- Brescia (Ky.) University made it back-to-back conference titles by claiming the 2019 River States Conference Men's Golf Championship on Tuesday at Belterra Golf Course in Florence, Ind. The Bearcats went wire to wire in first place to best the field of 11 schools and register their second RSC banner in a row.

Brescia was in the first place after the 36 holes played in the first two rounds on Monday. The Bearcats finished off the title with a score of 308 in the final round Tuesday to win by five shots over Asbury (Ky.) University. The Eagles made a charge with a 301 over the final 18 holes, but it was not enough to overcome Brescia's nine-shot lead heading into the final day.

Brescia advances as the RSC's automatic team qualifier to the NAIA Men's Golf National Championship to be held May 21-24 at Las Sendas Golf Club in Mesa, Ariz.Also headed to the NAIA national tournament as the conference's individual qualifier and championship medalist is IU East's Tyler Pearson.

Pearson fired an even-par 71 on Tuesday to win by three shots and punch his ticket to nationals. He was also named the RSC Men's Golfer of the Year to lead the All-RSC First Team selections. Pearson's tournament scorecard read 74-73-71 for 5-over par over 54 holes.

Brescia opened the tournament with a team score of 306 and built its lead with the best round of the tournament in round two, a 300. Brescia head coach Jason Cox was named RSC Coach of the Year after leading the Bearcats back to NAIAs. Trevor Brown (74-75-72) took individual runner-up honors for the Bearcats

Joining Brown on the All-RSC First Team was teammate Steven Zehr, who placed 10th in the championship and was also named the RSC Men's Golf Newcomer of the Year. The Bearcats had a third player earn all-conference honors with Daniel Steele on the All-RSC Second Team.

Asbury played the final 36 holes in fewer strokes than any other team to move up from tied for fifth after 18 holes to runner-up in the final standings. Gavin Smith and Marcos Ezcurra both made the All-RSC Second Team for the Eagles. Teammate player Victor Vargus shot 71-72 in the final two rounds to move up to tied for third place.

Midway (Ky.) University placed third in the championship. The Eagles were in second place after the first day with a 303 in round two, and they closed with a 308. Austin Mitchell earned All-RSC Second Team honors and placed eighth individually.

IU Kokomo moved up the standings to finish fourth. The Cougars were in fifth place after Monday. Sam Seagrave earned All-RSC First Team and placed seventh. Likewise, IU East moved up on the final day with a final-round 304, which brought the Red Wolves up to fifth place from being tied for seventh.

Point Park (Pa.) University placed sixth with two players in the top 10 -- Gage Basiletti in a tie for third and All-RSC Second Team honoree Matt D'Amico in ninth. Cincinnati Christian University was seventh led by 36-hole leader Noah Lung, who tied for third. University of Rio Grande (Ohio) was seventh with Jared Lemaster tied for third and on the All-RSC First Team.

WVU Tech, Ohio Christian University and Carlow (Pa.) University rounded out the team standings. For the complete and final leaderboard for teams and individuals, click the links above.

All-RSC honors were determined by the lowest four rounds combined from the RSC Men's Golf Fall Preview and the RSC Championship in the spring. Players needed to participate in both events to be eligible.

Also named was the RSC Men's Golf Champions of Character Team, which identified one player from each school who best embodies the five character values of NAIA Champions of Character, which are respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship.

2019 ALL-RSC MEN'S GOLF TEAMS & AWARDS
RSC Men's Golfer of the Year -- Tyler Pearson, IU East
RSC Newcomer of the Year -- Steven Zehr, Brescia
RSC Coach of the Year -- Jason Cox, Brescia
RSC Medalist -- Tyler Pearson, IU East

ALL-RSC FIRST TEAM
Tyler Pearson -- IU East
Sam Seagrave -- IU Kokomo
Trevor Brown -- Brescia
Jared Lemaster -- Rio Grande
Steven Zehr -- Brescia

ALL-RSC SECOND TEAM
Gavin Smith -- Asbury
Marcos Ezcurra -- Asbury
Austin Mitchell -- Midway
Matt D'Amico -- Point Park
Daniel Steele -- Brescia

RSC MEN'S GOLF CHAMPIONS OF CHARACTER TEAM
Ben Campbell -- Asbury
Chance England -- Brescia
Nick Paone -- Carlow
Bryce Kremer -- Cincinnati Christian
John Schaefer -- IU East
Taylor Fletcher -- IU Kokomo
Brandon Cambron -- Midway
Casey Moore -- Ohio Christian
Nick Finoli -- Point Park
Jared Lemaster -- Rio Grande
Jorge Hernandez -- WVU Tech