Strong Second Day Puts WPU in Middle of Pack at NAIA Preview

Silvis, Ill.–After a bumpy first day of competition, the Statesmen men’s golf team rallied to get in the mix as it competed at the NAIA Preview Monday and Tuesday.

William Penn finished eighth out of 15 teams with a two-day score of 640 (335-305) at the par-71 TPC Deere Run Golf Course. Point (Ga.) topped the standings at 584 (292-292), including having all five players in the top 11.

Cameron Luczka of Indiana Wesleyan earned individual medalist honors at 143 (75-68) in the 75-player event.

The navy and gold sat in 11th place after the opening 18 holes, but improved 30 strokes to leapfrog three programs at tourney’s end. The 305 tied for the fourth-lowest score of the day and was the best amongst Heart of America Athletic Conference schools; WPU took third out of five league teams at the Preview.

All five Statesmen bettered their score from the first day to the second. Spencer Tucker (Jr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Business Management) headlined his team by tying for 25th at 159 (81-78).

Jace Mueller (Jr., Burlington, Iowa) was next as his 160 (83-77) tied for 31st overall, while Andrew Lallier (Jr., Algona, Iowa) dropped 12 strokes from Monday to Tuesday, finishing in a tie for 42nd at 164 (88-76).

Lallier’s improvement was significant, but not William Penn’s best turnaround. That acknowledgement was reserved for Austin Hafner (Fr., Oskaloosa, Iowa), who for the second tournament in a row, improved double digits between scorecards. The freshman recorded a 91 on Monday, but cleared 17 shots down to a team tournament-best 74 to tie for 46th at 165.

Juan Lugo (So., Lecheria, Venezuela, Business Management) matched Hafner in 46th place as he rounded out the team’s scoring at 83-82–165.

Next Up: The Statesmen travel to Raymore, Mo. next Monday and Tuesday to check out the site of next spring’s Heart Championships as they compete in the Heart Preview. Play will be contested at the Golf Club of Creekmoor.