KENDALLVILLE, Ind. - Finally, after three long years without a title, the Marian University men's golf team got back to the summit of the Mid-Central College Conference for the 11th time as the Knights came-from-behind to earn a two-stroke victory at the MCC Tournament on Tuesday afternoon at Cobblestone Golf Course in Kendallville, Ind.

After 36 holes on Monday, No. 12-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University held a three-shot edge over the Knights. They carded a 36-hole total of 591 (296-295) and trailed IWU after the Wildcats carded a 588 (291-297) on Monday. Head coach John Shelton and the Knights had to find a way to stay consistent over the course of the final 18 holes and hope for some help. They received both.

 
The Knights carded the day's low round on Tuesday as they came into the clubhouse with a 297 and was the only team to finish under 300 on the afternoon en route to a 54-hole total of 888. The help came in the form of a 302 carded by IWU in the final round to allow the Knights to sneak in and snatch the championship by two strokes as the Wildcats came in with a 54-hole total of 890.
 
"This one was very emotional," said a drained but excited Shelton after the tournament. "We haven't won it in a few years and after winning it those other times, we just expect so much out of our program. This team did such a great job during this tournament. They stayed consistent and Trey (Pfund) proved he is one of the best golfers in our conference. I am just really proud of this title, not more than any other, but just really proud of this team and their perseverance. I expected a lot out of this group and they really shined this week."
 
Freshman Trey Pfund was the catalyst for the Knights as he earned tournament medalist honors and picked up the MCC Golfer of the Year award and an All-Conference team selection for his performance. Pfund opened the tournament with a four-under-par 68 and sat tied for the lead after 18 holes. An even-par 72 gave him a two-shot lead after 36 holes, and he came back on Tuesday and closed the tournament with a second even-par 72 to finish with a four-under-par 212 and a six-shot victory. He is the eighth MU men's golfer to earn medalist honors and the first since Stephen Ford went back-to-back in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
 
Freshman Robbi Koors quietly climbed the ladder as he turned in an even-par 72 in the final round to pick up a third-place finish. He carded a 54-hole total of 222 (76-74-72) and improved two strokes each day to earn All-Conference honors in his rookie season.
 
Senior Luke Weber, sophomore Sean Jones and sophomore Preston Smith each finished in a three-way tie for 14th place as they all tallied a 54-hole total of 229. Weber closed his final MCC Tournament with a 79 after notching a 75 in each of the first two rounds. Smith dropped his score each day as he opened with a 78 and a 76 before shooting a 75 in the final round. Jones also finished with a 229 as he shot a 77 and 74 on day one before carding a 78 in the final round.
 
Out of 15 rounds of golf, the Knights were a perfect 15-for-15 in rounds under 80 and was the only team to complete each round without a score of 80 or higher.
 
Head coach John Shelton was named MCC Coach of the Year for the 10th time in his 20 years at the helm of the program as he guided the Knights to the title.
 
With the conference championship, the Knights head to their 11th NAIA National Tournament appearance as the automatic qualifier from the MCC. The NAIA National Tournament will take place on May 18-21 at TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.