Statesmen 16th in Postseason Poll

William Penn Women’s Athletics

Oskaloosa–Courtesy of a terrific showing at nationals, the William Penn women’s golf team moves to a record-high position as the NAIA’s postseason top-25 poll was released Friday.

The Statesmen, who placed 15th at last week’s NAIA National Championships, leapt seven spots from #23 to #16 in the current rating with 237 points. The spot is the highest ranking in school history, five higher than last November’s previous high of #21.

National champion Oklahoma City is a unanimous first with 467 points and all 17 first-place votes. SCAD Savannah (Ga.), which was #1 all year but took second at nationals, is second, while Bellevue (Neb.), William Woods (Mo.), and Cumberlands (Ky.) round out the top five.

Midwest Collegiate Conference rival Grand View (#34) is also receiving votes.

“This is a culmination of hard work from every player that has played in the program,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “In four years we have jumped 100 spots, which is a testament to the hard work of our current players and alum. This is not a stopping point, but a stepping stone as we work to get better each year.”

NAIA Women’s Golf Postseason Rating – May 30, 2014
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Oklahoma City (17)
2. SCAD Savannah (Ga.)
3. Bellevue (Neb.)
4. William Woods (Mo.)
5. Cumberlands (Ky.)
6. Coastal Georgia
7. British Columbia
8. Northwood (Fla.)
9. Indiana Tech
10. Embry-Riddle (Fla.)
11. Northwood (Texas)
12. Bethel (Ind.)
13. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
14. Cal State-San Marcos
15. Victoria (B.C.)
16. William Penn
17. South Carolina-Beaufort
18. St. Andrews (N.C.)
19. Texas Wesleyan
20. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
21. Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
22. Concordia (Ore.)
23. Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
24. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)
25. SCAD Atlanta (Ga.)

Others receiving votes: (Mich.) 78; Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) 70; Campbellsville (Ky.) 59; Milligan (Tenn.) 50; Loyola (La.) 50; Marian (Ind.) 36; Thomas (Ga.) 35; Tennessee Wesleyan 10; Grand View 9; Columbia (Mo.) 6.