Statesmen Roll to Season-Opening Home Victory

Oskaloosa–The William Penn women’s golf team continued its dominance at home as it won the Navy and Golf Classic Monday and Tuesday.

WPU was first out of six teams with a two-day score of 632 (323-309) at the par-71 Edmundson Golf Course. William Penn’s varsity reserve team collected runner-up honors as well, tying Baker for the position at 675.

The victory is the 15th in a row for the Statesmen at Edmundson GC, dating back to the 2013-2014 campaign.

The Statesmen owned nearly all of the top spots with freshman Gabriana Franco (Fr., Tracy, Calif., Exercise Science) taking the individual medalist crown in her collegiate debut. Franco entered the second day one stroke behind teammate Olivia Lange (Fr., Porta Westfalcia, Germany, Business Management) at 78, but posted the low round of the event at 72 to win by three strokes at 150.

Lange finished in a tie for third at 157 (77-80), while a trio of Statesmen tied for fifth at 165. Jaclyn Wojciechowski (Jr., Graytown, Ohio, Business Management), at 86-79, Courtney Jackson (Jr., Liberty Lake, Wash., Digital Communication), at 87-78, and Carlee Frayne (So., Garner, Iowa, Sport Management), at 82-83, all placed in the top five.

Grace Butler (So., Arnolds Park, Iowa, Engineering) headlined WPU’s reserve players, placing eighth at 88-78–166. Katlyn Killeen (Sr., Overland Park, Kan., Business Management) took ninth at 85-86–171, while Bliss Martin (Fr., Hamilton, Ill., Biology) finished 10th at 172 (84-88).

“This team has a tremendous work ethic,” Graduate Assistant Coach Brock Hartley said. “We did not reach our goals for this tournament, but we are heading in the right direction. We will keep our noses to the grindstone as we prepare for our next event.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Le Mars next Monday and Tuesday to compete in the Northwest Iowa National Invitational. Play will be contested at Willow Creek Golf Course.