Records Destroyed as Winning Streak Extends to Six
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The unstoppable William Penn women’s golf team brought the show home Monday and Tuesday as it dominated the Statesmen Classic.
#13 WPU placed first out of five teams with a two-round score of 590 (292-298) at the par-71 Edmundson Golf Course. The program ended up winning by 79 strokes over runner-up Mount Mercy (669).
The crown–the sixth straight in regular-season play for the navy and gold–was one for the record books. William Penn smashed both the 18-hole (292, previously at 298) and 36-hole (590, previously at 607) team marks. It was the first time ever that the squad has dipped under 300 in consecutive rounds.
While all five members of the varsity crew did their part, no one was better than Elise Warne (Sr., Melbourne, Australia, Exercise Science), who became the first Statesmen linkster to win three tourney titles in a row.
The senior tied the school record for 18 and 36 holes, carding a 71 on Monday and a 74 on Tuesday for a final tally of 145. Her efforts included 21 pars, six birdies, and one eagle.
Warne took the gold, but not far behind her was the trio of Helene Larsen (Sr., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management), Megan Rhoads (Sr., Schertz, Texas, Psychology), and Brittany Evans (Jr., Fernley, Nev., Business Management). Larsen was second at 147 (74-73) with three birdies and one eagle, while Rhoads was third at 148 (75-73) with four birdies. Evans, who posted a 150 (72-78), guided the field with 25 pars in addition to two birdies.
A total of 21 pars and one birdie helped Alexis Guimaraes (Jr., San Ramon, Calif., Psychology) wrap up the varsity scoring at 160 (77-83) to place seventh.
WPU’s varsity reserve team, which finished third at 686 (352-334), was paced by Sofie Lund (Sr., Herning, Denmark, Industrial Technology), who tied for ninth at 168 (88-80). The senior’s event was headlined by three birdies.
Kaycee Kennedy (So., Pinedale, Wyo., Biology and Business Management) also managed one birdie en route to a 171 (92-79) and a tie for 13th. Julia Hippely (Fr., Huron, Ohio, General Accounting) tied Kennedy at 171 (89-82), while Tiffany Duhon (Sr., Lafayette, La, Elementary Education) tied for 17th at 180 (87-93). Madison Lantz (So., Corona, Calif., Psychology and Human Services) finished 19th at 88-94–182.
Bailee Frayne (Fr., Garner, Iowa, Elementary Education) topped WPU’s pair of individuals, taking sixth at 159 (77-82); the freshman birdied one hole. Katrina Estes (So., Paw Paw, Mich., Biology) placed 22nd at 185 (92-93).
“I am incredibly proud of this team and their accomplishments this fall,” Head Coach Chris Pierson said. “This is a special group we have and one that has been competing at a high level together these last two years. We have several upper-classmen showing the under-classmen what it takes to compete and they are taking it all in. I think that definitely showed today with the 20-stroke improvement by the varsity reserve today.”
“Elise continued to show she is our anchor,” Pierson added. “Helene and Megan both had a great tournaments as well and have worked hard to get there. We are looking forward to carrying this momentum down to Oklahoma City.”
Next Up: William Penn travels to Oklahoma City, Okla. on October 15-16 to compete in the NAIA Preview. Play will be contested at Lincoln Park Golf Course.
