ROCKWALL, Texas – Midwestern State looks to return to the form that led to a victory at the Rattler Invitational in February as it defends its title at the LSC Championships, which begins at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club on Monday. The top four teams following three rounds of stroke play advance to medal match play on Wednesday.

The Mustangs have played three tournaments since lifting the trophy at Dominion Country Club in San Antonio and have not finished better than eighth place. Midwestern State tied for ninth in the 20-team field at the Palm Valley Classic in Goodyear, Arizona, earlier this month.

Seth Bearden, Ryan Griff and Anniston McIlwain all shot 1-under 71 on the final day of the tournament, but Nathan Nelson had the lowest 54-hole total among the Mustangs on the 7,035-yard Palm Valley Golf Club course.  The sophomore from Gunter, Texas, finished in a three-way tie for 12th place at 8-under 208 after shooting even-par in the final round.

Nelson teed off from the 14th hole to begin his final round on Tuesday. He birdied the 525-yard, par-5 for the third time in the tournament and recorded his sixth consecutive birdie in the tournament after closing his second round on Monday with five straight birdies. 

Nelson finished the final round with five birdies, and he carded a total of 17 birdies during the 54-hole event, which was third most in the field of 108 golfers.

Bearden finished in a seven-way tie for 41st place at 2-under 214.  The senior from Crowell, Texas, had four birdies in his final round and had 11 birdies through 54 holes.

Griff tied with six other golfers for 52nd place at even-par 216. Griff had three birdies in a span of five holes during his final round and finished the event with a total of 12 birdies.

Anniston McIlwain reeled off eight straight pars at the start of his final round and finished in a six-way tie for 65th place at 2-over 218. McIlwain led the field with 42 pars over the 54-hole tournament. The sophomore from Bulverde, Texas, had three straight birdies on the back nine at Palm Valley and finished with four birdies in his final round.

Hank Germany was in a seven-way tie for 71st place after shooting 5-over 71 in his final round. Germany finished the tournament at 3-over 219.  The junior from Midlothian, Texas, had 15 birdies in the tournament, including four in the final round.

Last year in the Lone Star Conference Championship, Midwestern State had the lowest score in the final round of stroke play as the team shot 5-over 293 and moved up two spots to fourth place, earning a berth in the semifinals.

Midwestern State was dominant in medal match play, defeating top-seeded Oklahoma Christian, 5-0, after the Eagles led the field in stroke play. The Mustangs went on to claim their fifth LSC Championship when they defeated Dallas Baptist in the final, 3.5 -1.5.

Bearden clinched the championship run with his fourth birdie of the day to close the round with a 2-under 70, beating Dallas Baptist's Brecken Franklin by four strokes.

Griff played Dallas Baptist's Christian Clanton to a draw as both players carded a 4-over 76.

Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club is located along the banks of Lake Ray Hubbard and features rolling fairways and Bermuda grass greens. The course was designed by Ralph Plummer, who also worked on the course at Wichita Falls Country Club. Plummer designed, built or reworked 86 golf courses, primarily in Texas.

Monday's weather forecast calls for cloudy skies, southerly winds at 5-10 mph with a high in the mid-70s. Showers and cooler temperatures are expected with a high in the mid-60s on Tuesday. Rain is also in the forecast for Wednesday with a high temperature in the upper 70s.

MIDWESTERN STATE LINEUP

6. Chase Kisver (Sub.)

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