WPU Collects Bronze Against Top Programs
William Penn University Athletics
Silvis, Ill.–The Statesmen women’s golf team stuck around with two of the top programs in the NAIA as it hosted the TPC Deere Run Invitational Monday and Tuesday.
#20 William Penn placed third out of 15 teams with a two-day tally of 656 (327-329) at the par-72 TPC Deere Run Golf Course. Cumberlands (Ky.), ranked #6 nationally, distanced itself on the second day for an easy team crown at 623 (314-309), while #8 Bellevue (Neb.) was second at 640.
Lawrence Tech (Mich.), unofficially 30th in the nation, and Lindsey Wilson (Ky.), at #31, were fourth and fifth, respectively.
Cumberlands’ Kaitlyn Riley dominated the 81-player field as the lone player in ‘red’, posting a one-under 143 (71-72); the next-closest linkster was 13 strokes behind her.
Elise Warne (Fr., Melbourne, Australia, Exercise Science) paced the navy and gold at the difficult venue, finishing in a tie for 11th at 162 (83-79). The freshman was the only Statesmen to break 80 during the tournament.
Three of her teammates were just behind her in the standings as all four WPU scorers were in the top 20. Demi Coertze (Sr., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) tied for 13th at 163 (81-82), while Helene Larsen (Fr., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management) finished in a tie for 17th at 165 (81-84). Miranda Keeler (So., Plattsmouth, Neb., Communications) posted a two-day mark of 166 (82-84) to tie for 20th as well. Brooke Fletcher (So., Atlantic, Iowa, Business Management) carded an 87 on Monday, but unfortunately was disqualified from play on Tuesday.
The program’s varsity reserve team swung its sticks as well, improving greatly in the second round. The Statesmen are so deep in talent in their first two squads that the second group actually topped the first one on Tuesday by one stroke. The VR crew was sixth overall at 680 (352-328).
Megan Rhoads (Fr., Schertz, Texas, Psychology) was the headliner, tying for 25th at 168 (87-81).
Jing Yang (Sr., Woodland Hills, Calif., Biology) was next, tying for 27th at 169 (87-82), while Courtney Cunningham (Jr., Muskogee, Okla., Computer Science) and Jodi Saito (Jr., Mililani, Hawaii, Education) shot the exact same scores on each day; the duo tied for 29th at 172 (89-83). Natalie Booton (Sr., Mount Pleasant, Elementary Education) rounded out her team’s scoring at 174 (92-82) for sole possession of 31st place.
Individuals Jordan Postma (So., Marion, Iowa, Biology) (T-40th, 89-94–183) and Sofie Lund (Fr., Herning, Denmark, Psychology) (T-52nd, 95-96–191) also competed.
“We are really starting to see our players trend in the right direction,” Head Coach Nik Rule said. “The last 10 days have been very productive and we are encouraged with our progress.”
“This was the toughest stretch of our schedule, with the courses we played and the competition, and we are getting to a portion of our schedule where we can really start to use this momentum to shoot some lower scores, scores we are more accustomed to,” Rule added.
Next Up: William Penn returns to Oskaloosa Sunday and Monday to compete in the Mike “Fluff” Cowan Intercollegiate. Play will be contested at Edmundson Golf Course.
