Silvis, Ill.–The Statesmen women’s golf team showed it was not intimidated by its fellow ranked opposition as it finished high at the TPC Deere Run Invitational Monday and Tuesday.

#23 William Penn placed fifth out of 17 teams with a two-day tally of 645 (324-321) at the par-72 TPC Deere Run Golf Course.  #12 Campbellsville (Ky.) won the event at 614 (314-300), 12 strokes ahead of #8 Cumberlands (Tenn.).  The deep field also included #21 Northwestern Ohio (fourth place) and #27 Lawrence Tech (Mich.) (third).

Cassidy Scantland of Campbellsville went into the red for the individual crown, posting a one-under 143 (70-73).

Courtney Cunningham (Sr., Muskogee, Okla., Computer Science) topped the Statesmen as she tied for fifth (out of 105 players) at 154 (78-76).  She was named to the 10-person all-tournament team for her efforts.

Elise Warne (So., Melbourne, Australia, Exercise Science) just missed the all-tourney squad, tying for 12th at 159 (81-78). Helene Larsen (So., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management), at 82-84–166, and Jodi Saito (Sr., Mililani, Hawaii, Education), at 83-83–166, each tied for 24th overall, while Brittany Evans (Fr., Fernley, Nev., Business Management) wrapped up the varsity’s scoring in a tie for 49th at 177 (92-85).

The Statesmen varsity reserve crew was also on the links and tied for ninth at 691 (352-339).  The duo of Alexis Guimaraes (Fr., San Ramon, Calif., Psychology) (87-85) andBrooke Fletcher (Jr., Atlantic, Iowa, Business Management) (88-84) tied for 34th with final scores of 172.

Megan Rhoads (So., Schertz, Texas, Psychology), who tied for 39th at 173 (88-85), and Jordan Postma (Jr., Marion, Iowa, Biology), who tied for 42nd at 174 (89-85), were right behind their teammates, while Alyssa Kerry (So., Bend, Ore., Communications) carded a 183 (94-89) for two days of action to tie for 60th.

A quartet of navy and gold linksters also competed as individuals with Miranda Keeler (Jr., Plattsmouth, Neb., Communications) headlining their play.  Keeler joined Cunningham on the all-tourney squad, tying for 10th at 158 (82-76).

“Making the all-tournament team in this event is really something to be proud of, so I am very happy for Courtney and Miranda,” Head Coach Nik Rule said.  “This was a stacked field with some of the country’s best players and teams.”

Deanna Peiffer (Fr., Washington, Iowa, Public Accounting) (T-49th, 90-87–177), Sofie Lund (So., Herning, Denmark, Psychology) (T-54th, 90-90–180), and Tiffany Duhon (So., Lafayette, La., Elementary Education) T-76th, 94-98–192) competed at the spring opener as well.

“With this being our first event of the spring and playing at a TPC course in very wet conditions, we feel like we are in a good spot moving forward,” Rule said.  “A course like this punishes you for unforced errors in a way that most courses we play would not.  It is a good learning experience for our players as we look to minimize our big misses going forward.”

“I was proud of the way the team conducted themselves; they were very professional and decisive,” Rule added.  “If we continue that type of attitude, our bad days will be less dramatic and our good days will produce superior results.  This team is excited to get better; their energy is contagious and we are looking forward to getting better each day.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Ankeny Saturday and Sunday to compete in the Iowa Central CC Invitational.  Play will be contested at Otter Creek Golf Course.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage

Oskaloosa Wrestling had a great year at the high school level and another one of their state qualifiers has signed to wrestle at the collegiate level.

145 pounder Drew Sams capped off a great high school career with yet another trip to Wells Fargo Arena and the State Wrestling Tournament. Although he had a successful year in 2017, Sams was not pleased with his 1-2 finish at state, missing the podium.

“I didn’t have the outcome I wanted at state,” said Sams. “I don’t want my wrestling career to fall short, so I wanted to continue it. I felt like I could do some good things.”

When shopping for his collegiate program, Sams wanted to keep it close geographically. He eventually selected Graceland University in Lamoni.

“I was thinking local, I was thinking I was going to go to [William] Penn,” Sams explained. “But this program is only five years old. I like what they got going on there. I like their coach. It feels like a great atmosphere when I went on a visit. I just like what they got going.”

Sams was one of five wrestlers to qualify for state for Oskaloosa. Indian Head Coach Chase Weber says Sams has been a great leader for the program.

“He’s one of the kids that showed what you need to do to keep getting better as far as offseason,” Weber said. “Showing up every day, being in the [wrestling] room, making weight, and not missing any matches, that kind of stuff.”

Sams joins Osky teammate Jason Beebe as wrestlers moving on to the next level. Beebe recently signed to wrestle at William Penn University in Osky.

You can go back and listen to Oskaloosa postseason wrestling action, including at the state tournament, by going to radiokmzn.com and clicking “Stream Archive.”

Salina, Kan.–Frederik Lundsgaard (Jr., Jebjerg, Denmark, History/Government) was the best golfer on the course Monday and Tuesday, leading the Statesmen men’s golf team to the title at the Kansas Wesleyan Invitational.

WPU won the nine-team event with a two-day tally of 590 (293-297) at the par-70 Salina Country Club.  The navy and gold led by just one stroke after the opening day, but claimed their fourth gold of the year by distancing themselves from second-place LeTourneau (Texas) during the last round to win by six shots.

A total of 51 competitors were in the field and Lundsgaard topped them all.  He shared the tournament’s low score of 141 (68-73) with Seth Walters of LeTourneau, but bested him in a playoff to earn the medalist award.  The title is the junior’s third of the season.

Zachary Chegwidden (Fr., Essex, England, Business Management) was also in the mix for the win, finishing three strokes back in third place at 144 (69-75).

Clay Tucker (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Elementary Education) added another top-10 effort, tying for seventh at 149 (76-73), while Sebastian Rulis (Jr., Denmark, Business Management) tied for 22nd (80-76–156) and Peter Frederiksen (Jr., Hornslet, Denmark, Mechanical Engineering) tied for 33rd (80-82–162) to round out William Penn’s scoring.

The top team was not alone on the trip as William Penn also put its second squad into action.  The reserve team, which placed fifth overall at 629 (318-311), was paced byBrandon Dizon (Sr., San Leandro, Calif., Sociology) in a tie for 19th at 154 (78-76).

Zach Swink (Jr., Burlington, Iowa, Sociology) was next, tying for 22nd at 156 (79-77).  Kyle Hashimoto (Sr., Acampo, Calif., Exercise Science) (T-29th, 78-81–159), Skylar Cunningham (So., Knoxville, Iowa, History/Government) (T-41st, 89-77–166), and Cade Hartman (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev., Business Management) (47th, 83-91–174) also swung the sticks in Kansas.

“This was a good win for our team,” Head Coach Steve Tucker said.  “It was a long trip for a new competition, but it was worth it to get the win.”

“This was a great win for Freddy as well and a good event for Zach C. and Clay,” Tucker added.  “We did not play our best, but still found a way to come out on top.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Fort Madison next Monday to compete in the Iowa Wesleyan Classic.  Play will be contested at Sheaffer Memorial Golf Course.

Story provided by Wade Steinlage