Warne Ties School Record as WPU Battles NAIA’s Best
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oklahoma City, Okla.–The last time the William Penn women’s golf team went head-to-head against the top NAIA programs, it placed in the top 10, so it should come as no surprise that five months later the Statesmen had no problems again keeping pace as they competed at the NAIA Preview Monday and Tuesday.
In a field that featured eight top-25 teams, including six from the top 10, #9 WPU finished seventh out of 16 teams with a two-day score of 623 (316-307) at the par-72 Lincoln Park (West) Golf Course. #2 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) won the team trophy at 592 (299-293), while Katie Dalton of Dalton State (Ga.) (yes, that is her last name) tied teammate Isabel Rijos as well as Callee Breland of Loyola (La.) and Aleesha Smith of William Carey (Miss.) at 144. Dalton won the playoff to take the medalist crown.
Although two programs ranked lower than them were able to eclipse the navy and gold, the Statesmen did the same to #7 Oklahoma City, beating the Stars by two shots on their ‘home’ course. The seventh-place effort does unfortunately snap a pair of winning streaks for both the team (six consecutive regular-season titles) and Elise Warne (Sr., Melbourne, Australia, Exercise Science) (three straight tourney crowns).
After a disappointing first day witnessed her shoot in the 80’s for the first time all year, Warne responded by almost breaking into the 60’s on Tuesday. The senior shot an 83-71–154 to tie for 19th out of 82 players. Her one-under, which ties a school record for score against par, marks the first time she has ever gone into the red. She also tied the program mark and her own career best with the 71.
Brittany Evans (Jr., Fernley, Nev., Business Management) posted a pair of sub-80 cards, tying for 30th at 156 (77-79), while Alexis Guimaraes (Jr., San Ramon, Calif., Psychology) tied for 43rd at 160 (84-76).
Bailee Frayne (Fr., Garner, Iowa, Elementary Education) ended up in a tie for 46th at 161 (80-81), while Megan Rhoads (Sr., Schertz, Texas, Psychology) tied for 51st at 164 (76-88).
“This was a great tournament overall with a strong field that tested us so we could see where we are as a team,” Head Coach Chris Pierson said. “We had a few rough holes on the first day, but came back well on the second day. Brittany continued her strong play, while Alexis and Bailee both had very solid tournaments. Elise also bounced back very nicely to the say the least on the second day.”
“We look forward to another good test next week to wrap up our fall season,” Pierson added.
Next Up: William Penn concludes its fall campaign by traveling to Lake Ozark, Mo. next Monday and Tuesday to compete in the Osage National Invitational. Play will be contested at Osage National Golf Course.
