DANIELS, W.V.- One year ago, the Midway University Eagles were the best team on the course in the second round of the River States Conference Championship, but faded to fifth place on the final day of the tournament, ending Midway's three-year run as league champions.

A year later, the Eagles flipped the script and wound up back on top of the River States Conference.

After falling to third place in the second round, Midway roared back in the final round, winning the 2025 River States Conference Men's Golf Championship by two shots over WVU Tech. It is the fourth title in five years for the Eagles, who have won in 2021, 2022, 2023, and now 2025.

Midway held a two-shot lead after the first round of play, with all five Eagles in the field shooting a 76 or lower. The pace was set by Jack Bedell, who made three birdies and three bogies en route to an even-par 72. Midway exited Sunday with a two-shot lead over WVU Tech and a three-shot lead over Oakland City, with OCU's Leo Molino leading the individual medalist race with a four-under 68.

The Eagles dropped to third place by the end of Monday, shooting a 311 - the same score that saw Midway's title hopes end in 2024. Both Oakland City and WVU Tech passed the Eagles, with the Golden Bears in first place by one shot over the Mighty Oaks and five shots over the Eagles. Molino retained the individual lead after 36 holes, leading Oakland City teammate Jack Dolan by one shot entering play on Tuesday.

The final round was a roller coaster ride, with Midway pulling in front of WVU Tech early on, and the Golden Bears pulling ahead on the back nine. The difference in the tournament came down to the 18th hole, where Midway's four counting golfers made three pars and one bogey. Conversely, WVU Tech's counting golfers made three double bogies and a par, a five shot swing that allowed the Eagles to claim the title.

Molino was the standout golfer of the tournament, as the Mighty Oak swept the major awards as the Golfer and Newcomer of the Year, as well as the tournament's individual medalist. Molino won the tournament by one shot over teammate Jack Dolan, making a par on the 18th hole to clinch the crown. Otis Smith swept the Coach of the Year awards in golf, adding the men's award to his award from the women's tournament last week. 

Midway University will be the River States Conference's representative in the 2025 NAIA Men's Golf National Championship, held this year at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. It will mark Midway's third trip to Deere Run, as the D. A. Weibring designed course played host to the NAIA Championships in both 2021 and 2022. Deere Run has been good to the Eagles, who made the cut as a team in both of their trips to the Quad Cities. The first round of the national championship tournament is scheduled for May 20, with action continuing through May 23.