WPU Paired Up with #1 for First Two Rounds of Nationals
William Penn Women’s Athletics
Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s golf team will be playing its first two rounds ever at nationals against the best team in the NAIA as the pairings for the NAIA National Championships were announced today.
#23 William Penn has drawn #1 SCAD Savannah (Ga.) and #11 Victoria (B.C.) for the opening two rounds. The teams will actually open the Championships by teeing off at 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20. The event will be played from May 20-23 at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.
The trio will then be the last group to take to the links on Day 2 at 1 p.m. (starting on Hole #10).
“We could not be happier with our draw,” William Penn Head Coach Nik Rule said. “We have the opportunity to compete side by side with the best team in the country and one of the best teams in Canada. We are thrilled!”
William Penn will be making its first-ever trip to nationals, earning its bid as the Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament champion. The Statesmen own a current stroke average of 323.8 and are led by three all-conference players, including MCC Player of the Year Maggie Yang (Jr., Chino, Calif., Business Management) at 79.6. Fellow first-team pick Demi Coertze (So., Johannesburg, South Africa, Digital Communication) is also averaging under 80 at 79.5. The team has a season-low round of 307 (school record).
Ranked #1 all season, SCAD Savannah was ninth at last year’s Championships. The Bees currently own a 309.0 stroke average, headlined by the #1 ranked player in the nation and 2013 First-Team All-American Alazne Urizar at 74.8. Three other players are also averaging in the 70s. The team won The Sun Conference Tournament title and has gone below 300 on four occasions.
Victoria earned its bid to nationals as the fourth at-large team. The Vikes were 13th at last year’s nationals and own a 320.8 scoring average with a low of 304. The team placed second at the Association of Independent Institutions Tournament behind only #3 British Columbia.
For more information on the Championships, go to http://www.naia.org//SportSelect.dbml?&&&DB_OEM_ID=27900&SPID=100298&SPSID=646853
