After finishing the first round tied for 13^th and the second round tied for seventh, Valparaiso University men’s golf fifth-year senior Caleb VanArragon (Blaine, Minn. / Blaine) continued his climb on the leaderboard during Sunday’s third and final round of the Rutherford Intercollegiate, hosted by Penn State at the par-71, 7171-yard Penn State Blue Course in State College, Pa. In fact, VanArragon climbed all the way into the top spot in the 78-player field, earning medalist honors to pace the Beacons.

How It Happened

• VanArragon carded a 66 (-5), vaulting over six competitors and into sole possession of the tournament trophy with a 54-hole accumulation of 210 (-3). He edged Penn State’s Patrick Sheehan and UConn’s Jimmy Dallahan by one stroke to win the event.
• VanArragon was joined in the top five by junior Anthony Delisanti (Sanborn, N.Y. / Niagara Wheatfield), whose 75 on Sunday brought his 54-hole total to 215 (+2), tied for fifth.
• The third best score by a Beacon – both in Sunday’s round and for the tournament overall – came from Sam Booth (Carmel, Ind. / Carmel). He stroked a 76 to finish his weekend at 223 (+10), tied for 30^th.
• As a team, Valpo’s Round-3 score of 299 (+15) put the Beacons at 885 (+33) during their final tune-up for the league championship. They finished tied for fourth of 14. The host Nittany Lions won the event at 858 (+6).

Inside the Rounds

• VanArragon’s 66 in Round 3 tied his season-low round that he reached on three prior occasions.
• VanArragon picked up his 36^th career top-10 finish, his 25^th career top-5 finish and his 17^th career top-2 finish.
• VanArragon won medalist honors for the fourth time this season and the sixth of his collegiate career.
• Delisanti enjoyed his fifth top-10 finish this season and the 18^th of his career.
• Delisanti eagled the par-4 sixth hole in Round 3.
• VanArragon led the field in par-4 scoring average at 3.91.
• VanArragon tied for the tournament lead with 13 birdies, while Delisanti was also in double figures with 10.

Up Next

The Beacons will compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship hosted by Missouri State at The Club at Porto Cima beginning on Sunday, April 21 in Sunrise Beach, Mo. A link to live scoring via GolfStat will be available on ValpoAthletics.com.