Wheeler signs letter of intent with Murray State University

sports@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- Heading into his 14th season at Murray State, head golf coach Eddie Hunt has never signed a golfer from the state of Missouri. He's also never signed a player who has his senior season still waiting to be played.

On Wednesday, Sikeston golfer Gabe Wheeler became the first to do both.

The senior signed a letter of intent to play golf for Murray State University ending what Wheeler has called a "good distraction" since last spring.

"That's a huge deal and really makes me feel good about myself," Wheeler said about being Hunt's first Missouri recruit. "I can't thank (coach Hunt) enough. He told me that he has all the confidence in the world in me. Now it's my turn to prove it. Now that I've officially signed, my duty is to go out and play my best and show I'm worth every bit of what he's putting in and hopefully fulfill what's expected of me."

Signing early was a goal of Wheeler's. Not only did he want to attend Murray State, the search for a college home was taking away from his preparation on the course as well as increasing the pressure to perform for prospective universities.

"It's a big stress reliever," Wheeler said. "I've been looking at colleges since last spring and I've talked to a lot of coaches over that time. It's taken away from my actual golf game and it's kind of been a distraction -- a good distraction in a way. It's really nice to get it off my chest and now I can go out and play the game and prove I can play for Murray."

Wheeler placed third in the Class 3 state tournament last season at Fremont Hills Country Club in Fremont Hills capping what he called a disappointing regular season on a high note. Wheeler shot a combined 149 in the two-day event posting a 74 the first day and a 75 the next.

He credits his state performance as part of the reason he was chosen by Hunt.

"It was a struggle all season and I don't think I had a good season," said Wheeler. "Without that state performance I don't know where I'd be right now. That third place finish really helped put my name out there and I think it made a big difference."

Wheeler didn't stop there, however. He said coach Hunt was impressed with his offseason play that featured two national tournaments and some qualifiers. The senior makes it a priority to play in bigger tournaments in the summer where the competition level increases and Wheeler was able to carve out one tournament win as well as a few quality finishes to catch his future coaches eye.

"Even though you don't rack up the wins a good performance really gets you a long way with college recruitment," he said. "That's what coach Hunt was mainly impressed by, just how I adjusted to that kind of competition. When I get into the OVC tournament's next year I won't be as nervous and be used to the higher level of competition."

Wheeler is a three-time state qualifier. He finished 53rd his freshman year then tied for 12th his sophomore season with a combined score of 153. His continued progression throughout his turns at a state championship improved with his third place finish a season ago.

"He wasn't just tops on my team but tops in the state," Sikeston golf coach Brent Taylor said. "If you look at what he's done the last few years he's always moved forward, always advanced in the standings. He's a grinder. He guts it out. Things can happen bad in his round and he deals with the adversity very well. I think he visualizes what he needs to do and he can pull off those shots quite well. A lot of times he doesn't try to do too much. He stays within himself and I think that's what made him so consistent."

Wheeler joins a Murray State team that last won the Ohio Valley Conference championship in 2010 -- their first since 1991. Hunt, who primarily recruits the Kentucky area, has led 33 of his golfers to All-OVC and All-OVC tournament team honors since 2001. Hunt was named the OVC Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2010.

"That says a lot about Gabe for a Division I, big program like that to sign a kid from a state he's never signed before and especially not playing his senior year," Taylor said. "He can play with some of the best and doesn't get star-struck easily. He's won some big tournaments. Competition doesn't bother him. I think he has the potential to go right into Murray and play right away to help coach Hunt and the Racers with their season."

As far as the university as a whole, Wheeler said it fits him perfectly.

"It's an extremely good school. I've heard nothing but good things about it," said Wheeler. "They have a good golf team in the OVC (Ohio Valley Conference) and I've met the coach and some of the guys. It's just a really good school golf-wise and academic-wise. I've always wanted to play for a school similar to Murray -- not a big university but big enough to really make a difference."

Now with his college destination in place, Wheeler can focus solely on his senior season with Sikeston having already set a state championship finish as a goal to reach.

"I think with the whole college thing gone I think there will be less pressure this year," Wheeler said. "The goal is to win state. There's nowhere else to go but to improve on that. Although that pressure will be there, I won't have to worry about who's watching me at all times. Now I'm set on where my future is and now I just have to worry about the present and know what I'm going to do that day. I just hope to start this season the way last year ended."