Yang Leads William Penn to Autumn-Ending Victory
William Penn Women's Athletics
St. Charles, Mo.–Maggie Yang (Fr., Chino, Calif., Diamond Bar HS) has been on the doorstep for some time now and she finally stepped across the threshold this week to guide the Lady Statesmen golf team at the Lindenwood Invitational Thursday and Friday.
William Penn was first out of three squads with a two-day tally of 679 (345-334) at the par-71 Whitmoor Country Club. 2011 NAIA national qualifier Lindenwood was second at 701, while John A. Logan CC rounded out the team standings at 771.
“We wanted to come to this tournament because we knew that Lindenwood made it to the national tournament last year and that is where we want to be in May,” Lady Statesmen Head Coach Nik Rule said. “We feel that in order to be the best we must go and beat some of the best and the ladies worked hard to accomplish that this week.”
The title is the second in a row for the program, while Yang picked up her first individual medalist honor with a 157 (80-77), five strokes ahead of the runner-up (20 players total).
The freshman’s two-day tally tied her own school record set in September, while Friday’s posting of 77 was just one stroke behind the program’s best mark, set by teammate Dena Stevens (Sr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS).
“Maggie has been so close to winning tournaments this year and I am excited that she accomplished it this weekend,” Rule said. “Going into the season, Maggie and I sat down and set a goal–to be the most consistent golfer on the course and she has done well to accomplish that thus far.”
Yang had company near the top from other members of the navy and gold as Courtney Kronmuller (Jr., Fountain Valley, Calif., Fullerton CC) was fourth at 171 (87-84) and Mayci Rule (So., Idaho Falls, Idaho, Skyline HS) was fifth at 173 (87-86).
“Courtney’s hard work paid off this fall and another top-five finish proves that,” Rule said. “She is such an important part of our team and her consistency on the golf course is going to help us succeed this spring.”
“Mayci’s performance showed me that after two years away from the college game, she is closer to being back in top form than ever before,” Rule said. “Her confidence is back, her swing has improved, and she has made adjustments on how she manages the course, all of which showed this week.”
Ashley Manhnieo (Fr., Las Vegas, Nev., Olathe Northwest HS), in eighth at 182 (95-87), and Stevens, in ninth at 183 (91-92), also found their way into the top ten.
Presley Joss (Jr., Osceola, Clarke HS) played as an individual and was 20th at 252 (123-129).
“We have had a grueling schedule this fall and that was by design,” Rule said. “I wanted to see how the team would react toward the end of the fall. When they got tired, when things got tough, when the weather turned cold, they responded by winning our final two tournaments before heading to the spring season.”
“After Friday’s round, we all met and reflected on how far this program has come,” Rule added. “We have accomplished a lot, winning two tournaments, taking second in two, and having a winning percentage of over .700. Yet, as I have said before, we are not satisfied and we left the course with one goal–to win the conference tournament and we will work hard during the winter to put ourselves in the best position to do that in April.”
