Statesmen Fifth Against Top-Notch Field
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Moravia–The William Penn men’s golf team was playing at its home away from home, but that was not enough to overcome talent-rich competition as it hit the links at the Warrior Challenge hosted by Indian Hills CC Monday and Tuesday.
#21 WPU finished fifth out of six teams with a solid three-round score of six-over 870 (284-288-298) at The Preserve Golf Course–a par-72 track. Defending NJCAA Division I national champion Indian Hills ran away with the crown, posting a 34-under 830 (266-279-285). The Warriors went under par in all three rounds and defeated runner-up Iowa Western CC by 33 strokes. IWCC was also runner-up to IHCC in last year’s national tournament.
Kirkwood, which was fifth at the NJCAA Division II event last May, and Mount Mercy, a perennial power in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and the NAIA, finished third and fourth, respectively.
The Statesmen, who entered the final round in second place, struggled a bit in the last 18 holes, but still finished only seven strokes out of the runner-up slot.
Tom Westenberger of Iowa Western and Maxine LeClerc of Indian Hills tied for medalist honors at 12-under 204, while two members of the navy and gold also went into the red for the tourney.
Zachary Chegwidden (Jr., Essex, England, Business Management) placed sixth out of 42 players at six-under 210 (68-71-71). Oliver Stanway (Jr., Leicester, England, Sports Management) was right on his heels, taking eighth overall at 213 (67-72-74).
The juniors led the way this time around, while the trio of youngsters–two freshman and a sophomore–experienced more of a rollercoaster ride.
Oscar Florez Martinez (So., Gignon, Spain, Business Management) and Spencer Tucker (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) tied for 23rd at 226. Florez Martinez’s rounds were 73-74-79, while Tucker went 77-71-78. Davis King (Fr., Upminster, England, Sports Management) finished off the varsity scoring in 28th at 233 (76-82-75).
WPU’s varsity reserve crew battled as well. Peter Frederiksen (Sr., Hornslet, Denmark, Mechanical Engineering) topped the quintet as he tied for 33rd at 243 (81-80-82), while Jordan Albert (Jr., Sigourney, Iowa, Biology) was next at 249 (85-89-75) to take 35th. Kaden Benson (So., Sigourney, Iowa, Business Management) was a slot behind him in a tie for 36th at 251 (77-82-92), while Ethan Kaiser (So., Belle Plaine, Iowa, Education) (39th, 93-102-88–283) and Tony Rocha (Jr., West Branch, Iowa, Business Management) (40th, 96-98-96–290) also competed.
“The Preserve is always a good test for us to see how we are stacking up,” Head Coach Steve Tucker said. “The good news is that as a team we improved 30 shots from last week in Memphis. Zach played well again and Oliver did as well. Oscar, Spencer, and Davis all had their good moments; they will continue to improve and be more consistent as they grow into their roles on the team.”
“Sometimes it is difficult to remember that we are a very young team and we might be expecting too much too fast,” Tucker added. “I am very pleased with our progress and expect goods things for the rest of the fall season.”
Next Up: William Penn takes two weeks off before traveling to Sunrise Beach, Mo. on October 1-2 to compete in the Porto Cima Invitational. Play will be contested at Porto Cima Golf Course.
