National Open Champ
Former Wichita State men’s golf standout Rafael Becker ’13 won the championship at the 61st Aberto do Brasil / Aberto do Atlântico in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov. 9. Becker’s final round featured three eagles on the last eight holes.
The 23-year-old from Sao Paulo carded a 7-under 62 to claim a three-stroke victory. With his National Open Championship just 15 months into his pro career, Becker became the first Brazilian player to win on the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica.
— WSU Sports Information
Three Wins Shy
The Shocker tennis doubles team of Tomislav Gregurovic and Tin Ostojic came up just short in their No. 6 quarterfinal match at the USTA/ITA Intercollegiate Indoor Championships in Flushing, N.Y., falling 7-6 (4), 6-3 to Illinois. “We played some incredible tennis,” said WSU coach Brad Louderback. “I was really proud of the guys.”
Gregurovic and Ostojic won a pair of matches over elite competition in the tournament but finished three wins shy of a national title. They closed out the fall season with a 12-2 record and will be strong candidates for a national ranking when the ITA releases its next set up ranking this January.
— WSU Sports Information
#MTXE Classic
The Shockers extended their regular season winning streak to 35 at the Nov. 29 #MTXE Classic in the Roundhouse against old MVC rival Tulsa. Wichita State calmed the Golden Hurricane 75-55, with junior point guard Fred VanVleet netting 21 points, nine assists and Player of the Game honors with a 2014 take on WSU’s Gene Smithson-era Mental Toughness eXtra Effort.
— WSU Sports Information
The Last Players
After a century of golf atop Fairmount Hill, Braeburn Golf Course closed to the public on Nov. 3.
The official last players were Dan Blasi, Bryan Hoover ’92, Jeremy Hoover, Jon Markwell, Joe Potter and Kevin Severe ’84, who teamed up with three noted golfers: Johnny Stevens ’64, former WSU standout player who went on to the pro ranks and became Braeburn’s first pro; Grier Jones, WSU head men’s golf coach, and Eric Sexton ’87/92, another Shocker standout golfer now the AD at Wichita State.
The nine played together as winners of and contributors to a Shocker Legacy Golf fundraising auction package featured at this fall’s Rockin’ the Roundhouse. Official recognition was given by James Rhatigan, representing the alumni association, and Joshua Miller, Braeburn Golf Course manager.
— WSU Alumni Association
