Men's Golf 9/23/2025 7:10:00 PM

Stevenson, Cracraft shoot 68, 69 on Day 2, make RMI All-Tourney Team; SSU A squad finishes third

MCDERMOTT, Ohio -- Roger Merb certainly enjoyed a terrific career as an individual who coached the Shawnee State men's golf program across three different decades.

On Tuesday, Merb certainly received performances that he would've been proud of.

The men's golf program at Shawnee State enjoyed a strong close to the Roger Merb Invitational, as Tanner Stevenson enjoyed a brilliant close to the annual event by shooting a four-under 68 over his final 18 holes to lead Shawnee State's 'B' squad, while Trey Cracraft posted a three-under 69 to lead the Shawnee State 'A' squad as both players finished as Roger Merb Invitational All-Tournament Team honorees, finishing in a tie for third individually with two-day, one-under 141s and leading the SSU 'A' and SSU 'B' teams to third and eighth place showings in a 19-team field at Elks Country Club in McDermott.

As a team, Shawnee State's 'A' squad enjoyed a strong 291 on Day 2, finishing just three-over par as a team while matching West Virginia Tech's 'A' squad for the best second-day round among all teams in the tournament. The 'A' squad, who shot a 588 overall to finish third behind WV Tech's tournament-winning 583 and Georgetown's 584, shaved off six rounds on Day 2 in the process.

Behind Stevenson's effort, the Shawnee State 'B' squad posted an impressive effort in its own right. Down a man in its scoring group due to injury, the Bears still managed to post a 312 with its 'B' team and finish eighth, nine strokes ahead of Rio Grande's 'B' team and 11 in front of West Virginia Tech's 'B.'

Cracraft cuts up Elks greens

Playing some of the best golf of his career Tuesday, Shawnee State junior Trey Cracraft proved to be terrific throughout. The Maysville, Ky. product ultimately posted birdies on six of the 18 holes in his final round on Tuesday, notching one-unders on the following holes:

Second hole, 525-yard par five
Fourth hole, 136-yard par four
Sixth hole, 406-yard par four
Eighth hole, 493-yard par five
Ninth hole, 319-yard par four
14th hole, 492-yard par five

By posting birdies on five holes on the front nine overall, Cracraft moved himself up from sixth place after the opening day of competition to sole possession of third place at the finish of the event, following up his even-par 72 on Day 1 with a three-under 69 on Day 2 to shoot a three-under 141 for the Roger Merb Invitational.

Stevenson posts final round 68 with eagle on 11th for second straight day

Enjoying unquestionably the best round of his collegiate career, Tanner Stevenson added in a standout second day by posting a four-under 68, improving by six strokes from his Day 1 score of 74 and moving up seven spots in the finishing order from 12th to fifth to join Cracraft as a Roger Merb Invitational All-Tournament Team honoree, posting a two-under 142 for the RMI.

For the second consecutive time in as many days, Stevenson found gold on the 11th hole as the graduate student eagled the 11th hole, a 541-yard par five.

Stevenson also birdied the following holes:

Fourth hole, 136-yard par four
Fifth hole, 358-yard par four
Sixth hole, 406-yard par four
Eighth hole, 493-yard par five
14th hole, 492-yard par five

Ferrell continues consistency

Along with Cracraft and Stevenson, Shawnee State senior Ross Ferrell added in a consistent effort of his own. Firing an even-par 72 on the opening day of the Roger Merb Invitational, Ferrell followed up that effort with a one-over 73 to finish the RMI with a one-over 145 overall.

Ferrell, who finished eighth in the field of 97 golfers, birdied three holes and posted pars on 11 additional greens on Tuesday.

Additional SSU finishers

Following the trio, Shawnee State's Max Kearns put four SSU golfers in the top-25 overall with his 23rd place finish as Kearns posted pars on 14 holes and birdied the 14th hole as well. Kearns finished with a two-day 151.

Kyle Salamon, who posted the second-best score on the SSU 'B' squad, finished with a two-day 153 to finish 30th, while Hunter Freeman, who won a match play event as part of the Turnberry Invitational last Thursday that was held by Ohio Dominican, jumped 22 spots in the field from his 56th place showing on Day 1 to 34th on Day 2 after posting 10 pars as well as birdies on the eighth, ninth and 14th holes of play.

Reid Seimetz and Logan Hughes both tied for 37th place in the field, while Myles Phillips, who posted 11 pars as well as birdies on the eighth and ninth holes, finished 40th after shooting a 75 on the second day.

Jason Price (t-45th), Issac Doolin (t-55th), Zander King (t-58th), Owen Mault (t-72nd), Matt Harrison (t-82nd) and Tanner Castle (85th) rounded out the Shawnee State men's golfers who completed both rounds. Breestin Schweickart retired in the second round due to an injury that he is expected to return to action from.

Field breakdown

The top five finishers, from both a team and an individual standpoint, were as follows:

TEAM

West Virginia Tech A (583)
Georgetown A (584)
Shawnee State A (588)
Mount Vernon Nazarene A (593)
Ohio Domincan B (598)

INDIVIDUAL (Roger Merb Invitational All-Tournament Team Members)

Alvaro Iglesias (West Virginia Tech), two-day 139 (won in playoff)
Christian Clements (Georgetown), two-day 139 (lost in playoff)
Trey Cracraft (Shawnee State), two-day 141
Tanner Stevenson (Shawnee State), two-day 142; Tanner Wood (Hocking), two-day 142

Additional

The men's golf program at Shawnee State will prepare for its biggest tournament of the fall next week when the Bears play at the River States Conference Fall Preview on Monday, Sept. 29 and Tuesday, Sept. 30 at The Resort at Glade Springs in Daniels, W. Va.

For more information on the Shawnee State men's golf program, visit https://ssubears.com/sports/mens-golf or check out https://www.instagram.com/ssumensgolf/.

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