INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The Cleveland State men's golf team has been selected to finish third in the Horizon League this season, as voted upon by League head coaches and announced Thursday afternoon.
The Vikings received 72 total votes in front of Youngstown State (63 votes) and behind Oakland (86 votes). Cleveland State jumped two spots in this year's #HLGOLF preseason poll, as the Green and White were picked to finish fifth last season.
This season, the Vikings will be led by seniors Zach Robbins, Jules Blakely and Zak Supelak.
Robbins, who recorded 10 top-20 finishes last season, including a 3rd place finish at the Eastern Kentucky Intercollegiate Tournament, returns to the team for his senior season. The Grand Rapids, Michigan native notched a stroke average of 73.0 in 2019-20, a career best.
Blakely, a native of Westlake, Ohio, played in eight events in Cleveland State's shortened 2019-20 season, posting five top-20 finishes and a stroke average of 75.7. The senior had his best finish of the season tying for first place at the Dayton Flyer Invitational with a score of 215. Blakely became the first Viking medalist since Anton Krecic at the 2017 Horizon League Championship.
Junior Jack Hanus is set to return to the course this season, after recording three top-20 finishes in 2019-20. Hanus notched 54-hole score of 215 at the Dayton Flyer Invitational, finishing as the tournament runner-up. Joining Hanus is fellow junior David Laib.
Sophomores Jonny Filler and Gunnar McCollins, as well as freshmen Mason Frazier, Andrew Kaye and Aaron Apticar round out this year's roster.
The Vikings are set to compete at the Butler Invitational on Monday, March 29 and Tuesday March 30 at the Highland Country Club.
2021 #HLGOLF Men's Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Wright State – 100 (10)
2. Oakland – 86
3. Cleveland State – 72
4. Youngstown State – 63
5. Northern Kentucky – 57
T6. IUPUI – 42
T6. Purdue Fort Wayne – 42
8. Green Bay – 36
9. Detroit Mercy – 32
10. RMU – 20
#GoVikes
