LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. — Idaho placed second at the Big Sky Conference Championship which wrapped up Wednesday, finishing at 14-under 850 after a steady final round at Wigwam Resort. 
 
The Vandals closed with a 9-over 291 in the opening round but responded with back-to-back subpar team scores, carding 280 in the second round and 279 in the final round to secure the runner-up finish behind Sacramento State (841). 
 
Sam Johnson led Idaho, finishing fifth individually at five-under 211. He capped his tournament with a three-under 69 in the final round after posting rounds of 72 and 70. 
 
Joe Sykes followed closely, tying for sixth at four-under 212. After an opening 75, Sykes rebounded with rounds of 68 and 69 to climb the leaderboard. 
 
Josh McCartain added a top 10 finish, tying for ninth at two-under 214, while Dalton Dean placed 13th at one-under 215, giving Idaho four golfers inside the top 15. 
 
Charley Simpson rounded out the scoring lineup, finishing 27th at 11-over 227. 
 
"I am proud of the battle today. I knew we had to apply some pressure at the start of the round, and I felt like we did that, but sometimes it doesn't materialize in the end," Nuhn said. "I am grateful to our four seniors and the effort that they have given to our program. I am going to miss the time I've spent with them as we've traveled, but I know there are great things coming for these guys and I am going to be their biggest fan."
 
Sacramento State claimed the team title behind Jai Bahl and Gabriel Smith, who each finished at 9-under 207. Smith won a playoff to earn Medalist honors. Top of Form
 
The runner up finish is the best for the Vandals since winning the championship in 2016. The season saw the Vandals win two tournaments in the fall and pick up two runner-up finishes.
 
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