For the second straight year, the No. 18-ranked men’s golf team won the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate in Columbus, Ohio. Kent State knocked off the No. 43-ranked SMU by one stroke and No. 36-ranked Indiana by five.

Starting the day in fourth place and four strokes back, the Flashes came through with a 295 on the third day of the tournament for a 54-hole score of 898. After the round, they watched as 30 MPH winds abused the other schools.

Kent State’s team title, their fourth of the year, became official on the last hole of the event. A SMU golfer had a chance to pull his team even with a birdie. He made par, giving SMU an 899, which sealed Kent State’s fourth win.

“We really hung in there in the afternoon playing, and it gives us a chance heading into tomorrow,” said head coach Herb Page. “The rain was coming down pretty good all afternoon, making the conditions tough for everyone, but our guys just kept grinding away. After the rough start in the morning, I think their pride took over a bit in the afternoon, and it allowed us to gain a few place and strokes back on the leader board.”

Junior Kevin Miller led the Flashes with a +9, 222 for the weekend, securing a fourth place finish. Senior Mackenzie Hughes scored a +13, tying him for ninth place and his second straight top-10 finish.

Kent State sophomore Corey Conners, finished tied in the 13 slot, and sophomore Kyle Kmiecik, tied for 19th, giving the Flashes four golfers in the top-20, which helped with the title.

The men’s golf team returns to action in the Boilermaker Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind. April 21-22.

Contact Daniel Staimpel at [email protected].