AUSTIN, Texas (5/15/24) – Behind a top-20 performances by freshman Jake Lile and sophomore Thomas Schmidt, the Arkansas State men’s golf team finish ninth among 13 teams at the NCAA Austin Regional at the University of Texas Golf Club. 

A-State, the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Champions, finished ahead of No. 8 Arkansas, No. 60 San Jose State, No. 71 Grand Canyon and No. 142 Kansas City. With the head-to-head victory against Arkansas, the Red Wolves have finished ahead of every current SEC member, except Vanderbilt, since the start of the 2020-21 season. 

The Red Wolves totaled 11-over par 295 in the final round to finish the par-71, 7,399-yard course at 17-over par 869. A-State’s 54-hole total is its best at any NCAA Regional in program history, topping the previous best of 874 at the 2021 Noblesville Regional. 

Host Texas was the top finisher at 27-under par 825 over the 54-hole tournament. Tennessee (-11), Notre Dame (-6), Utah (-2) and Wake Forest (+2) advance to the NCAA Championship. Wake Forest tied with BYU for the fifth spot and advanced by way of a playoff. UNC Greensboro (+11) and Georgia (+11) tied for seventh with Arkansas (+20), Kansas City (+28), San Jose State (+35) and Grand Canyon (+41) completing the team standings. 

Lile completed his freshman season with a tied for 12th finish at 1-under par 212 (74-68-70). His 12th place finish and 212 total rank second-best in program history at a NCAA Championship behind Zan Luka Stirn’s third place total of 209 at the 2021 Noblesville Regional. 

Schmidt, the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Golfer of the Year, capped off his historic season tied for 20th with a total of 1-over par 214 (71-72-71). It is the third-highest individual finish at a NCAA Championship and his 214 total also ranks third. Schmidt finishes the season with a single-season program record 71.00 stroke average. 

Seniors Devyn Pappas and Hugo Ronnberg wrapped up their respective collegiate careers Wednesday. Pappas (+7) finished up tied for 41st while Ronnberg (+17) tied for 69th. Jack Maxey (+14) finished 65th. Pappas closes his career at A-State with a 73.51 stroke average, ninth-best in program history. 

A-State completes the season with a 288.33 stroke average, fifth-best in single-season program history. The Red Wolves won their second Sun Belt Conference championship and appeared in a NCAA Regional for the seventh time in program history.