WPU Teeing Off with Cumberlands and Lawrence Tech at NAIA Nationals

Oskaloosa–The Statesmen women’s golf team will be the middle squad in the trio that is paired together as the 30th Annual NAIA National Championship commences next week.

William Penn, unofficially 28th entering nationals, has qualified for its ninth Championship and first since the 2022-2023 season. The event will be held Tuesday-Friday, May 13-16 at Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti, Mich.

For the opening two rounds of competition, the navy and gold will play with #18 Cumberlands (Ky.) and Lawrence Tech (Mich.); LTU is not receiving votes nationally. The squads will begin Tuesday’s round on Hole #1 at 1:10 p.m. (Central), while Wednesday’s round will start on Hole #10 at 8:10 a.m. (Central).

WPU faced off with Cumberlands at the Cumberlands Invitational on March 31-April 1 with UC placing second and the Statesmen taking third. The Statesmen and Lawrence Tech have not met up this year.

William Penn

William Penn, which won the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship in April, owns a current team stroke average of 325.8 over 23 rounds with a low of 303. Olivia Lange (So., Buckeburg, Germany, Business Management) has a 77.3 stroke average, while Gabriana Franco (Fr., Tracy, Calif., Exercise Science) currently possesses a 79.8 clip.

The Statesmen have won five tournaments this year, and have finished no lower than third.

Cumberlands

Cumberlands, which is out of the Mid-South Conference, claimed an at-large berth to the Championship. The Patriots have won one tournament title this year.

UC’s Ainslee Cruce has a team-best 76.1 stroke average (adjusted) according to Scoreboard from Clippd.

Lawrence Tech

Winners of four events during the year, Lawrence Tech picked up an automatic bid via its Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference crown.

Tanawan Vetchayanvivat of LTU guides the Blue Devils with a 76.6 scoring average (adjusted) according to Scoreboard from Clippd.