(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)
The MIAA office has released virtual media day and the pre-season coaches' poll today.
The Missouri Southern men's golf team was picked to finish seventh this season, following their seventh place finish last season with 23 points. The Lions were just seven points back of sixth place Missouri Western, who was also picked to finish sixth this season. Central Missouri once again is picked to repeat as conference champions as they picked up eight of the 11 first place votes, while Central Oklahoma gathered the other three and is picked second. Rounding out the top five is Northeastern State at three, Washburn in fourth, and Lindenwood at fifth. Then comes Western and Southern, Nebraska-Kearney follows at eighth, Lincoln in ninth, Fort Hays State comes in at tenth, and Southwest Baptist rounds out the poll at eleventh.
The Lions will return six from last season's squad, five of whom qualified for tournaments. Senior Ethan Hutcheson will lead the way for the Lions, as Coach Mike Wheeler says "Anything short of a regional tournament berth is not acceptable this season. That is our ultimate goal this year." Other returners include junior Trae Fairchild who competed in six tournaments and finished with a scoring average of 79.4, 8-over, in 15 rounds of play; junior Taylor Lansford who played in all ten tournaments last season and finished with a scoring average of 78.5, 7-over, in 26 rounds; sophomore Connor Neil who qualified for five tournaments with a scoring average of 79.5, 8-over, in 12 rounds; sophomore Aaron Shoemaker who played in three tournaments last fall with a scoring average of 79.0, 8-over, in eight rounds, and sophomore Grant Seifried who did not compete at a tournament last season.
Joining this years squad will be five incoming freshmen in Jake Badovinac, Brandon Coale, Tristan Haltom,Tripper Jenson, and Nate Neel and junior transfers Ignacio Dopererio Lopez, Cameron Hamilton, and sophomoreBradley Jumper. ,
Badovinac,was a four year letter winner at Harrison (Ark.) HS. During his four years he helped the Goblins extended their dominance in the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) Class 5A West District to 10 straight,titles. During that time Badovinac and the Goblins won the AAA Class 5A team title in 2012, a third place finish in 2013, and a runner-up finish this fall. In 2013, Jake placed his personal best at the state tournament finishing tied for seventh with a round of 79.,Jake was a three time All-District and All-State performer with a scoring average of 75.
Coale,was a four year starter and letter winner at the number one position for the Siloam Springs HS in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. In 2014, Coale helped lead SSHS to a third place finish in the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA) Class 6A. Coale finished fourth place individually with a 148 (76-72), one stroke off the individual championship. In his sophomore season he became the only person in history of SSHS to hold the Springdale Invitational title. Coale was selected by First Tee to play in the Heinz Mentorship program at Shadow Valley Country Club in 2013 and 2014. In 2012, he was selected by First Tee to play in a celebrity fundraiser tournament at the Blessings golf course.
Haltom was a two sport stand out for the Ava High School Bears earning eight letters between golf and football. He won 14 tournaments as a member of the AHS Bears while earning All-Conference and All-District honors all four years. Haltom was also a four time state qualifier for the MSHSAA Class 2. In 2015, Haltom earned one Ozone Player of the Week honors as he finished third in the MSHSAAClass 2 District 5 tournament at 3-over, one stroke behind his brother Taylor. At the Class 2 Sectional 3 tournament Tristan finished tied for third at 3-over, two strokes behind the winner. At the Class 2 State Championships in Springfield at the Rivercut Golf Course, Haltom finished tied for tenth at 8-over. Haltom also helped the Bears to three straight South Central Conference and MSHSAA Class 2 District 5 titles. On the gridiron Haltom earned All-State honors at offensive line in 2013-14 and was named lineman of the year for the South Central Conference.
Jenson was a four year letter winner for Coach Dave Soetaert and the Mt. Vernon HS Mountaineers. As a freshman he earned first team All-District honors and repeated that selection during his sophomore campaign while adding first team All-Big 8 and Conference Player of the year, and All-State honors. During his junior year Jensen repeated as first team All-Big 8 and All-District. As a team MVHS finished third at the MSHSAA Class 2 state meet in 2012 and tied for sixth in 2013. As an individual Jensen's highest finish at the MSHSAA State tournament was tied for 11th his sophomore season with a two round total of 158. He also won the Big 8 Conference tournament that season. Jenson was also a guard for the Mt. Vernon boy's basketball team.
Neel is a native of Miami, Oklahoma and a 2015 graduate of Miami HS. Neel earned four letters in golf for the Wardogs and coach Rusty Mercer while helping MHS to the 2014 Regional Golf Runner-up finish and a 2015 conference title. During his freshman season, Neel earned All-Metro and All-Conference honors. In 2013, Neel finished fourth in the 4A Regional Golf Tournament while earning All-Conference honors again in 2014. He won the Gary Williams Golf Tournament during his senior season while qualifying for the 4A state tournament in three straight years. Neel also competed in basketball for the Wardogs and Coach Mercer earning two letters, while starting one year at point guard.
Dopererio Lopez is a native of Lagrono, Spain, comes to the Lions after playing two years at Division II Clayton State in Morrow, Georgia. Lopez helped the Lakers finish fourth in the Peach Belt Conference tournament last season.
Hamilton comes to the Lions from Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma where he finished the 2013-14 season ranked 22nd in the NJCAA D2 with a 74 stroke average. He finished sixth in the NJCAA D2 Region 2 tournament with a two round 157. A native of Broken Arrow, Okla., Cameron was a four year letter winner for the Tigers of Broken Arrow HS and Coach Bo Belcher. Hamilton was a part of two team regional championships as the Tigers took the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) Class 6A regional titles during his sophomore and senior seasons. In 2012, Cameron won the Union Invitational and the BA Maxwell. He earned 6A All-Conference and Frontier Valley Academic All-Conference honors both his junior and senior seasons. While at BAHS Cameron also started four years at center for the hockey team where he was the leader in points, goals, assists, and penalty minutes during his senior campaign while serving at team captain.
Jumper was a two sport athlete for the Seneca HS Indians lettering in both golf and basketball...was a three time All-Big 8 selection, three time All-District selection and a three year MSHSAA state qualifier...earned All-State honors in 2013-14 and was the Big 8 Conference champion in 2013-14...Jumper also played two years on the hardwood for the Indians helping SHS to a MSHSAA Class 3 District 12 title.
The Lions will begin their fall portion of the season as they host the MSSU Men's Fall Invitational, an MIAA Points Event, at the Shagria-La Country Club in Monkey Island, Oklahoma September 14-15.
2015 MIAA Preseason Men's Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (8) 98
2. Central Oklahoma (3) 93
3. Northeastern State 75
4. Washburn 67
5. Lindenwood 60
6. Missouri Western 58
7. Missouri Southern 52
8. Nebraska-Kearney 42
9. Lincoln 23
10. Fort Hays State 19
11. Southwest Baptist 18
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