Youngstown State University
Xavier Invitational
10/20/2026 3:38:00 PM | Men's Golf
Cincinnati, Ohio – Fifth-year senior Ryan Sam shared individual medalist honors to lead the Youngstown State men's golf team to a third-place finish in the two-day Xavier Invitational, which concluded on Tuesday from Maketewah Country Club.
Sam, the native of Canfield, Ohio, finished tied with two other players atop the individual leaderboard at six under par overall with a three-round score of 204 (68-70-66) to claim co-medalist honors and his first career tournament win. The fifth-year senior matched his season and career low round with a four-under-par 66 in Tuesday's third and final session that featured eight pars and seven birdies. Sam's opening-round 68 on Monday included eight pars and six birdies.
Sam's three-round score of 204 is tied for the second-lowest individual 54-hole performance in program history, and it marks the lowest 54-hole score for a Penguin since Kevin Scherr carded a 204 at the Joe Feaganes Marshall Invitational on Sept. 9-10, 2019. He has now posted four top 10 finishes in five events played this season while becoming YSU's first individual medalist since Ken Keller at the George Mason Orlando Invitational on March 9-10, 2020.
The Penguins placed third at 12 over par overall with a season-best three-round total of 852 while matching their best team finish of the season. YSU opened the event with team marks of 283 and 287 over the first two rounds, respectively, on Monday before closing play with a 282 in Tuesday's third and final round. Youngstown State's three-round score of 852 ranks as the sixth-lowest 54-hole team performance in school history.
Nolan Shilling finished tied for 11th individually with a three-round total of 216 (74-71-71). The senior recorded nine pars and four birdies in each of his final two rounds of action.
Jack Sacriponte finished tied for 15th with a career-best three-round score of 217 (73-69-75) to earn the best individual performance of his freshman campaign and his second consecutive top 20 finish. Sacriponte's career-low, one-under-par 69 in the second round on Monday featured 13 pars and three birdies as he fired a three-under-par 32 on the front nine.
Bryar Moss finished tied for 22nd with a three-round 219 (72-77-70) to collect his third straight top 25 performance. The junior's even-par 70 in the final round included 11 pars, two birdies and an eagle on the par-five No. 14.
Playing as an individual, Nathan Miller finished tied for 28th with a three-round score of 221 (73-79-69). The freshman matched his season and career low round with a one-under-par 69 in the final session on Tuesday that featured 11 pars and four birdies.
Rocco Turner concluded the tournament tied for 31st on the individual leaderboard with a three-round total of 222 (70-77-75). The junior's even-par 70 in the first round on Monday included 14 pars and a pair of birdies.
Xavier won its home tournament title at one over par overall with a three-round team score of 841. Purdue Fort Wayne finished three shots in front of YSU as the runner-up with an 849, Providence placed fourth with an 875 and Detroit Mercy rounded out the top five with an 876.
Sam shared medalist honors at six under par for the event with AJ Agnew of Purdue Fort Wayne and Ray Filter of Xavier. The trio of medalists finished three strokes ahead of the fourth-place finisher.
Youngstown State will now pause from competition until the spring portion of the 2026-27 season begins. YSU's complete spring schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
For the latest news and updates throughout the 2026-27 season, follow @YSUMensGolf on X and Instagram.
