Statesmen 17th in Preseason Rating
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The William Penn women’s golf team begins the new season in a slightly heightened spot than it ended last year as the NAIA’s preseason top-25 poll was released Friday.
WPU, which placed 18th at last year’s national championships, start 2017-2018 at #17 with 244 points. The Statesmen will be seeking their fifth-consecutive league crown next May and are the only representatives from the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Briar Cliff also represents Iowa at #31 unofficially.
Defending national champion Oklahoma City is first in the poll with 526 points and 17 first-place votes, while Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) and South Carolina Beaufort, both of which earned one first-place nod, are second and third, respectively. Dalton State (Ga.) and SCAD Savannah (Ga.) round out the top five.
William Penn begins its fall slate next Thursday and Friday, traveling to Yankton, S.D. to compete in the Mount Marty Invitational. Play will be contested at Fox Golf Course and Hillcrest Country Club.
NAIA Women’s Golf Preseason Rating – August 25, 2017
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Oklahoma City (17)
2. Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) (1)
3. South Carolina Beaufort (1)
4. Dalton State (Ga.)
5. SCAD Savannah (Ga.)
6. British Columbia
7. William Woods (Mo.)
8. Keiser (Fla.)
9. Texas Wesleyan
10. SCAD Atlanta (Ga.)
11. Cumberlands (Ky.)
12. Southeastern (Fla.)
13. William Carey (Miss.)
14. Northwestern Ohio
15. Oregon Tech
16. Faulkner (Ala.)
17. William Penn
18. Milligan (Tenn.)
19. Marian (Ind.)
20. Cumberland (Tenn.)
21. Victoria (B.C.)
22. Bellevue (Neb.)
23. Rock Mountain (Mont.)
24. Wayland Baptist (Texas)
25. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
Others receiving votes: Thomas (Ga.) 93, Midway (Ky.) 84, Saint Francis (Ind.) 70, Lawrence Tech (Mich.) 46, Campbellsville (Ky.) 34, Briar Cliff 30, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) 26, Oklahoma Wesleyan 16, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) 16, Brenau (Ga.) 16, Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 13, Coastal (Ga.) 13, Loyola (Ga.) 6, Bethel (Ind.) 5, Taylor (Ind.).
