By Emma Hicken, Leatherneck Athletic Communications
When | Apr. 1-3
Where | Silvis, IL
Tournament | 2026 WIU Intercollegiate
Stats | MEN'S: Here | WOMEN'S: Here
Macomb, IL - The Western Illinois Golf teams come home to host the WIU Intercollegiate Tournament in Silvis, IL.
Previously
The Western Illinois Men's Golf Team is coming off a fifth-place finish at the Keene Trace Collegiate, hosted by Morehead State, where the Leathernecks showed strong improvement across the two-round event. After opening with a +27 team score, WIU responded with a +12 in the final round to climb the leaderboard and finish at +39 overall. Mateo Rascon led the way with a top-10 finish at +5, highlighted by an even-par 72 in round two, while Julian Ortiz also placed in the top 25. The Leathernecks' second-round surge was fueled by cleaner play and key scoring moments, including an eagle from Owen Howe, as the team closed the tournament on a positive note.
Across three rounds, the field stayed close for the Leatherneck Women's Golf Team, with each player putting together steady scores throughout the event. Sophia Thorne opened with consistent play, while Dina Khvastovic and Cianna Law remained in the mix with strong frames and key conversions in each round. Libby Larkin separated herself over time, improving her totals each round and posting the highest score in the final round. Her steady performance from start to finish, combined with a strong closing stretch, allowed her to secure the top spot at the end of the competition.
OVC Season Predictions
The Ohio Valley Conference released its preseason poll and Players to Watch list ahead of the 2025-26 season, with Western Illinois Leathernecks picked to finish ninth with 12 points. The Morehead State Eagles were selected as the preseason favorite with 63 points and seven first-place votes, followed by the Little Rock Trojans and the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in second and third. Sophomore Sophia Thorne earned recognition on the OVC Players to Watch list after a strong performance last season for the Leathernecks.
On the men's side, the OVC released its preseason poll and Players to Watch list ahead of the 2026 season, with Western Illinois picked to finish 11th with 16 points, just behind Tennessee State and Eastern Illinois. Sophomore Owen Howe earned a spot on the OVC Players to Watch list following a strong showing last season for the Leathernecks.
Golf Course
The WIU Intercollegiate is held on the TPC Deer Run Golf Course. The course is a par 71 with 18 rounds that plays 7,528 yards. The WIU Intercollegiate is a three-round tournament that will kick off Wednesday morning.
Competition
MEN'S: Chicago State, Indian Hills Community College, Northern Iowa, Wisconsin-Green Bay, St. Ambrose, Northeast Community College, Kansas, Western Illinois
WOMEN'S: Wisconsin-Green Bay, Western Illinois
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