Men's and Women's Golf

MVC Announces Weekly Golf Honors

This week's Missouri Valley Conference golfers of the week include Bradley's Caroline McConnell and Carter Stevenson.

20241

WOMEN'S GOLF
Caroline McConnell of Bradley earned runner-up medalist honors at the Rio Verde Invitational, hosted by Western Michigan, in Rio Verde, Ariz. The senior from South Fayette, Pa., fired an even-par 216, capped with a four-under-par 68 in the final round to place second. McConnell's third-round 68 was her third round under 70 this season and ties her career-low round score. All four of McConnell's top 10 finishes this season have seen her finish third or better. McConnell led the Braves to their first team title of the 2025-26 season, placing first out of 19 teams with a team score of 885 (300-291-294), four strokes ahead of second-place Xavier. Illinois State also competed at the event.  ISU's Alex Sparrow's 27th-place finish was the best on the team, as she had rounds of 76, 76, and 75 for her 227.

Meanwhile, Yang Tai of Indiana State notched a top-5 finish for the Sycamores. Tai started the spring season with a top five finish in South Carolina at the Battle at the Beach tournament, placing fourth of 70 golfers. She carded a 153 (+9, 76-77) with five birdies (tied for second most in the tournament). Tai was also tied for second in the tournament on par-3 holes, just .12 away from leading the field.

MEN'S GOLF
Bradley's Carter Stevenson placed tied for fourth at the Savannah Intercollegiate, hosted by JGW Golf, in Savannah, Ga. The junior from Marquette Heights, Ill., began the tournament with two-under-par 70s in rounds one and two to put himself in contention at the top of the leaderboard. Stevenson ultimately finished at 219, three strokes over par. The top-10 finish is his third of the season and 10th of his career. This tournament also marked his 16th finish of 20th or better in his career. Stevenson led all Braves as the team finished 11th out of 18 teams at 904 (289-296-319).

Three men's programs competed at the Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate (Drake, Valpo, UNI). Drake's Sam Johnson had the highest finish for any MVC golfer on the individual leaderboard. Johnson posted rounds of 71-72-70 for a total score of 3-under, 213. He ended up tied for 17th.

And three MVC golfers: Jack Darke of Belmont, Conner Brown of Belmont, and Lennon Albans of Murray State each had a top-10 finish at the Gulf Coast Collegiate.