Blackburn Takes Home SLIAC Men's Golf Title

STAUNTON, Ill. - Blackburn College captured the 2010 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Men's Golf Championship held at Timber Lakes Golf Course. The Beavers finished with a three-round team score of 927, 29 strokes ahead of the next team.

It marks only the second time in 20 years that the Beavers have won the championship. Blackburn also won the men's golf title in 1998. With their 2010 title, Blackburn also receives an automatic qualifying bid and will make their first appearance at the NCAA Division III Championships.

Blackburn's Rob Jackson claimed individual medalist honors and was named the SLIAC Player of the Year after placing first in the field of 34. Jackson had rounds of 73-72-76 to finish with a nine-stroke advantage, 221. The Beavers were also led by Dallas Gray and Trent Groves. Gray placed fourth with a 77-80-79--236 to earn First Team All-SLIAC honors. Groves was Second Team All-SLIAC in seventh place with scores of 79-75-85--239.

SLIAC newcomer Spalding University placed second overall and boasted the SLIAC Newcomer of the Year in Keith Thompson. Thompson tied for second place and earned First Team All-SLIAC with rounds of 72-72-86--230. Teammate Andrew Flynn also finished in a tie for second place and earned First Team All-SLIAC honors with final scores of 75-78-77--230.

Also earning First Team All-SLIAC honors were Webster University's Robby Meeh (72-82-84--238) and Kyler Scott (83-79-76--238), who both tied for fifth place. Westminster College's Taylor Webb (87-79-75--241) placed eighth overall to earn Second Team All-SLIAC honors. Eureka College's T.J. Schopp (82-76-87--245) and Joe Pioletti (84-78-86--248) rounded out the top 10 to also earn Second Team All-SLIAC.

Blackburn head coach Tom Buckley was named the SLIAC Men's Golf Coach of the Year, while Eureka College took home the Sportsmanship Award.

Complete Championship results are here.