WPU Receives Votes for First Time, Just Outside Top 25

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa–While it is receiving votes for the first time in school history, the Statesmen men’s golf team will still have plenty of motivation to work hard during the winter months after being left out of the top 25 as the NAIA’s second poll was released Friday.

William Penn had an incredible fall season, but was slighted by the national raters, sitting at #26 with 95 points; it is 10 points from #25. It is the first time ever that the navy and gold have received votes nationally.

The Statesmen won three tournament titles this fall and performed well against the nation’s best. WPU defeated four ranked teams and four others receiving votes in winning the NAIA Preview and also beat three others receiving votes at the season-ending Southern Plains Intercollegiate earlier this week.

William Penn is the highest-ranked team in both the Heart of America Athletic Conference and the state of Iowa. Morningside (#27), Grand View (#34), and Northwestern (#37) were also featured in the ranking.

Texas Wesleyan is the nation’s top team with 498 points and 17 first-place votes. Oklahoma City is second, while Dalton State (Ga.) (one first-place vote), Johnson & Wales (Fla.), and Coastal Georgia round out the top five.