Statesmen Claim Home Tournament Crown
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–Although its first tournament was cut in half due to poor weather, the William Penn women’s golf team was just happy to finally open up its spring season as it hosted and won the Mike “Fluff” Cowan Invitational Tuesday.
#22 WPU won the rain-shortened event with a 307 at the par-71 Edmundson Golf Course. Central was second at 324 in what basically resulted in a dual between the two programs.
The title is the third of the year for William Penn.
Helene Larsen (Jr., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management) and Brittany Evans (So., Fernley, Nev., Business Management) pulled away from the field, tying for medalist honors at three-over 74. The two battled for three holes in a playoff with Larsen eventually besting her teammate to officially claim the tournament victory.
Elise Warne (Jr., Melbourne, Australia, Exercise Science) was also in the mix with a 78 to place fourth, while Alexis Guimaraes (So., San Ramon, Calif., Psychology) carded an 81 to finish seventh.
Megan Rhoads (Jr., Schertz, Texas, Psychology) rounded out the varsity scoring in eighth place at 82.
The hosts put their varsity reserve squad on the course as well; the team shot a 346 to take third. Deanna Peiffer (So., Washington, Iowa, Public Accounting) topped the second team at 83 to tie for ninth, while Sofie Lund (Jr., Herning, Denmark, Psychology) tied for 11th at 84.
Tiffany Duhon (Jr., Lafayette, La, Elementary Education), in 14th at 88, Madison Lantz (Fr., Corona, Calif., Psychology and Human Services), in 15th at 91, and Katrina Estes (Fr., Paw Paw, Mich., Biology), in 17th at 99, also competed for the varsity reserve crew.
Two other Statesmen additionally participated as individuals. Brooke Fletcher (Sr., Atlantic, Iowa, Business Management) posted an 80 to tie for fifth, while Alyssa Kerry (Jr., Bend, Ore., Communications) posted a 95 to take 16th.
“I am really happy with how we started this spring season,” Head Coach Chris Pierson said. “With so little time outside, you are nervous about how the first tournament of the spring will go, but we continued to show our depth and talent as a team.”
“We now have to continue to push each other and build off this solid start for the remainder of the season,” Pierson added.
Next Up: William Penn takes a week off before traveling to Silvis, Ill. on Monday and Tuesday, April 9-10 to host the TPC Deere Run Invitational. Play will be contested at TPC Deere Run Golf Course.
