Stellar Final Round Gives Statesmen First League Crown in 44 Years
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Galena, Ill.–The year was 1974. Richard Nixon gave up his presidency, Foreman and Ali battled in the Rumble in the Jungle, Stephen King published his first novel ‘Carrie’, the Sears Tower became the World’s tallest building, AND the William Penn men’s golf team won its second conference title. 44 years later on May 1, 2018, the drought ended as the Statesmen rallied to win their THIRD conference crown.
#24 William Penn finished first out of nine teams at the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championships Monday and Tuesday with a three-round score of 914 (310-306-298) at the par-72 Eagle Ridge Golf Course. The 44-year drought was the longest of any men’s team at WPU; the women’s track and field team, which started competing in the 1970s, has never won a conference title.
The navy and gold entered Tuesday’s final round 12 strokes behind Mount Mercy, but overtook the Mustangs with the only sub-300 round of the tournament as the Mustangs, who led after each of the first two rounds, fell off the pace and finished second at 917 (301-303-313).
As aforementioned, it is the third title in school history (1969, 1974) and the first for WPU since joining the NAIA. It will be the first time William Penn has ever qualified for a national tournament as the 1969 and 1974 teams did not earn a berth.
The squad, which finished last (seventh place) at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships in 2013, has made amazing strides over the last few years, including placing second last season, just two strokes from a nationals berth.
The Statesmen, led by Zachary Chegwidden (So., Essex, England, Business Management), would not be denied this trip around, earning a berth to the NAIA National Championships which will held at TPC Deere Run Golf Course in Silvis, Ill. on May 15-18. William Penn should join the field quite confident after winning the NAIA Preview at TPC Deere Run last October, including defeating two ranked programs.
William Penn started the final 18 holes strong, but the field was forced inside for a short time due to weather. The break slowed the team’s momentum a bit, but Chegwidden paced the final push with three birdies in his final four holes to post a two-under 70 and secure the individual medalist award at 220 (77-73-70) to win by four strokes. Chegwidden is nearly making his second trip to nationals, having lost in a playoff a season ago.
After a forgettable Monday, everyone stepped up Tuesday, including Frederik Lundsgaard (Sr., Jebjerg, Denmark, History/Government) joining Chegwidden in the top 10 in seventh at 227 (77-76-74).
Fellow senior Sebastian Rulis (Sr., Helsingor, Denmark, Business Management) just missed the mark, tying for 11th at 232 (76-79-77), while Zach Swink (Sr., Burlington, Iowa, Sociology) and Oscar Florez Martinez (Fr., Gignon, Spain, Business Management) were in the top 20 as well; WPU was the only team to have all five players in the top 20. Swink tied for 17th at 236 (80-79-77), while Florez Martinez tied for 19th at 237 (81-78-78). The navy and gold recorded just one round above 80.
“This was an incredible comeback by our guys,” Head Coach Steve Tucker said. “We knew going in that we could win, but were disappointed in our first round. We played better in the second round, but still gave up a few strokes to the leaders. We then started strong Tuesday, but weather derailed us a bit. Fortunately, everyone held their own and Zach (Chegwidden) finished strong to seal the deal!”
“I am so happy for our seniors Freddie, Zach (Swink), and Seb that they are going to nationals!” Tucker added. “Zach (Chegwidden) being the conference champion after losing in a playoff last year is also very special. Everyone, including Coach Ben Roberts for keeping the guys on track, worked so hard to make this happen and I could not be happier that we finally broke through, won the conference title, and are going to nationals!”
