Lady Statesmen Drop Title in Playoff
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Grinnell–The William Penn women’s golf team posted the best score of the day at the Grinnell Invitational Saturday, but unfortunately so did the host team, and after a playoff ensued, the Lady Statesmen came home with the silver.
William Penn tied for the top score at 326 at the par-72 Grinnell Country Club. The host Pioneers managed the other 326, and after two different tiebreakers were split between the programs, the coaches determined the champion with a playoff.
The top four scorers for each team played the ninth hole again. Grinnell recorded a combined three-over par to win the playoff, bettering the navy and gold by one shot.
Courtney Kronmuller (Sr., Fountain Valley, Calif., Communications) led the 40-player field with a 76. After posting an 80 five previous times in her Lady Statesmen career, the senior finally broke into the 70s in a big way for her first collegiate victory.
“Courtney has been one of our most consistent players since coming into our program,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “Being able to break into the 70’s and win a tournament is a milestone in her game. This puts her in the ideal place to continue to build upon her success this year.”
Demi Coertze (Fr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Undecided) gave William Penn a 1-2 finish, earning the silver with a 78. It is the third time this year that William Penn has accomplished the gold-silver sweep.
Natalie Booton (Fr., Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Undecided) and Maggie Yang (So., Chino, Calif., Biology) both tied for 13th at 86, while Ashley Manhnieo (So., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management) was one stroke behind them in a tie for 17th at 87. Mayci Rule (Sr., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Business Management) rounded out the scoring with a 91 to tie for 27th.
“We competed well today and were able to post another score in the 320’s which is important for us to be successful,” Rule said. “We are on the verge of dipping under 320 which is the next step to taking our program to another level. We can do it, we know we can do it, so now it is just breaking through that ceiling.”
“We take the course each day looking to compete like this,” Rule added. “Competing in a playoff, despite the result, will only help us grow stronger.”
Next: William Penn travels to Joliet, Ill., next Friday and Saturday to compete in the St. Francis (Ill.) Fall Classic.
