Valparaiso University men’s golf fifth-year Caleb VanArragon (Blaine, Minn. / Blaine) wasted no time in claiming his first Missouri Valley Conference Golfer of the Week Award of the 2023-24 season.

VanArragon began his final season of collegiate golf by capturing medalist honors in a 120-player field at the Gene Miranda Falcon Invite, hosted by Air Force at the par-72, 7541-yard Eisenhower Golf Course in USAFA, Colo. He turned in a 54-hole score of 203 (-13; 67-67-69), tying Anthony Delisanti’s modern program record set at last year’s MVC Championship for 54-hole tournament score in relation to par.

VanArragon tied for the top spot before defeating Colorado State's Christoph Bleier on the first playoff hole for medalist honors. His effort helped Valpo tie for third in a 24-team field. The Valpo veteran led the tournament field in birdies (18) and par-5 scoring average (4.33) en route to his 30^th career top-10 finish, his 14^th top-10 finish in his last 16 tournaments and his 20^th career top-5 finish. In addition, VanArragon now has a dozen career top-2 finishes including three occasions where he earned medalist honors.

This marked VanArragon’s 14^th career MVC Golfer of the Week award, helping him climb into a tie for second in conference history with Dustin Garza of Wichita State. He is one award away from tying David Perkins for the most MVC Golfer of the Week honors in conference history.