Lady Statesmen Snatch First Tourney Win to Finish Fall
Maggie Yang tees off at the Lady Statesmen Fall Classic on Saturday.
Oskaloosa–The fourth time was the charm for the William Penn women’s golf team as it finally took home its first tourney gold at the Lady Statesmen Fall Classic Friday and Saturday.
William Penn, three-time runners-up this season, rallied from a six-shot deficit after day one to slip past Iowa Western CC by one stroke. The team posted a two-day school record of 642, including a 325 Friday and a one-day record of 317 Saturday.
“This victory takes such a huge weight off our shoulders,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “We have been so close and have been on the wrong side of one-stroke decisions, but to battle back, set a school record, and beat a strong Iowa Western team is a really good accomplishment.”
Joana Yanez of Iowa Western CC won medalist honors at 152, three strokes ahead of Courtney Kronmuller (Sr., Fountain Valley, Calif., Communications). The senior shot a 155 (79-76) to take the silver in the 32-person field.
Teammates Demi Coertze (Fr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Undecided) and Maggie Yang (So., Chino, Calif., Biology) were right behind Kronmuller in third and fourth, respectively. Coertze posted a 157 (78-79) and Yang was at 158 (80-78).
“Courtney, Maggie, and Demi are three of the best players in the conference,” Rule said. “To have them clicking at the right time during tournament play is something we will need to continue to do as we progress into the spring.”
Mayci Rule (Sr., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Business Management) concluded her collegiate career in a tie for 16th at 177 (93-84), while Natalie Booton (Fr., Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Undecided) was 19th at 183 (88-95). Rule will graduate in December.
“Mayci has had a good career here at William Penn,” Rule said. “She has been a big part of our rebuilding success with the program and I am happy she was able to end it with a very respectable 84.”
Ashley Manhnieo (So., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management) guided William Penn’s second team by tying for 11th place with a 169 (86-83). Danielle Giannotti (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz., Undecided) was also a top-20 finisher, taking 15th at 175 (87-88).
“It was great to see two consistent days out of Ashley and Danielle,” Rule said. “Going into the spring, it will be vital to have them contributing to our top five. They have worked so hard this fall and that work is beginning to pay off.”
Samantha Lingle (Fr., Manilla, Iowa, Undecided), in 29th at 208 (105-103), Lindsay Dorn (Fr., Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Elementary Education), in 30th at 216 (112-104), and Janet Kuskie (Fr., Grant, Neb., Undecided), in 32nd at 230 (113-117), rounded out the Lady Statesmen lineup.
“Every player on our roster deserves praise for the success we have had this fall,” Rule said. “All ten of our players battle one another in practice and that competition prepares them well for tournament play.”
“I cannot think of a better way to lead into our midseason than the way they all played this weekend,” Rule added. “This victory provides us with some extra motivation to work hard this winter.”
