Simpson takes 5th, Marvelli named IIAC Coach of the Year

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Simpson men's golf team turned in its best finish at the Iowa Conference Championship in five years, head coach Jason Marvelli earned co-Coach of the Year honors and the Storm placed fifth after Sunday's final round at Finkbine Golf Course.

Simpson carded back-to-back rounds of 311 to close the conference championship in fifth with a four-round total of 1,265. Saturday's third-round took place at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids and Sunday's fourth round returned to Finkbine – the site of rounds one and two – due to play restrictions at Elmcrest.

The fifth-place effort is the best during Marvelli's five-year tenure and the highest finish by a Simpson team since also taking fifth in 2008. Marvelli - who shared Coach of the Year honors with Central's Chad Green - becomes Simpson's first-ever Coach of the Year in men's golf.

The Storm finished nine strokes behind fourth-place Dubuque (1,256) and 23 ahead of sixth-place Buena Vista (1,288). Central (1,215) won the tournament, followed by Luther (1,243) and Wartburg (1,253).

Simpson's top individual finish came from Trent Lindenman, who came within a stroke of all-conference consideration in 11th place (312). The freshman shot Simpson's two lowest rounds of the tournament, firing a 75 on Saturday and a 76 on Sunday.

Another freshman, Shaan Desai played his best golf in the final three rounds. After shooting 85 in the first round, he went 77, 79 and 78 to close at 319, good for 16th overall.

Conner Juilfs also recovered from a less-than-stellar opening round to finish 17th (85-77-80-78=320).

Andy Hutchins placed 18th (85-80-77-79=321) and Zach Hale closed out the tournament tied for 20th (78-80-81-85=324).

Next season the Storm return six of the top seven averages from this year's team, as only Hale graduates from the group.