Junior Quinn Smith finished 3rd in the Dan Quayle Collegiate Gold Classic over the weekend.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DEPAUW UNIVERSITY
The women's team continued to put up strong numbers while the men bounced back nicely in what turned out to be a solid weekend DePauw's golf programs.
The women’s team placed first out of nine teams in the Illinois Wesleyan Fall Classic with a total score of 299 for their fourth-straight top five finish of the season.
“I’m really happy with how we played this weekend," said sophomore Kharissa Carras, who placed 10 overall with a score of 154. "Breaking 300 was a goal we had and it’s awesome that we were able to accomplish that. This year, we’ve gained a lot of momentum from our successes and I think we have a lot more confidence as a team every time we go out to play, which has really made a big difference.”
The Tigers again received a strong showing from the first-year class, as three of them placed in the top five for the team. Rachele Miller led the team with an overall score of 149 and three-way tie for first place. Larisa Luloff finished in a tie for fifth with a score of 152, followed by junior Sheinnera Gerongay’s tie for eighth place with her 153.
First-yeras Danielle Smith and Quincy Ballard rounded out the group with scores of 158 and 170 respectively.
“Due to our lack of experience, no one really knew what to expect from the team," said Miller. "We have certainly gone out and proven that we have a strong lineup that can compete at a high level. As a freshman, it has been so much fun to come in and be a part of such a special team.”
After placing second-to-last in the Rhodes Collegiate Classic, the men’s team fared better on their home course with a second-place finish in the Dan Quayle Collegiate Golf Classic.
DePauw was led by junior Quinn Smith, who finished the tournament in third place with an overall score of 154. Sophomore Andrew Derringer and freshman Michael Wittenberg each hit a 159, tying for 13, while senior Drake Dunaway and sophomore Jackson Mihevc tied for 20 with scores of 160.
This marked the first time this season the men’s team improved over a two-day tournament, as they had originally finished the first day in third place. Regardless, the team wasn’t completely satisfied.
“The team didn’t play as well as we would have liked, since it was our home tournament on our home course,” said Smith. “This weekend the course played the hardest I have seen it. It was very windy both days and the pins were set in tough locations for the field to score. Twin Eagles is one of the hardest courses we play all year.”
Head coach Vince Lazar agreed.
“We’re good enough to win that tournament,” said Lazar. “They just weren’t able to execute on the back nine of that golf course on both days. They’re still not where they [want] to be.”
While the men’s team won’t return to play until Oct. 10 for the NCAC Fall Preview, the women’s team will be heading into this weekend for their final match of the fall season at the Eva Shorb Weiskopf Invitational in Wooster, Ohio.