Lycoming News

Penn College secured the United East Championship on Saturday, earning a place in the upcoming NCAA Division III Championship. The Wildcats finished 15 strokes ahead of their competitors and had three players in the top ten, marking their second title in three years.

Due to unfavorable weather forecasts for Sunday, participants completed 36 holes on Saturday instead of the scheduled two rounds over two days.

Peyton Mussina led Penn College with a second-place finish, recording scores of 74-70—144. The team achieved a combined score of 613 after rounds of 307 and 306, surpassing defending champions Rosemont College by 15 strokes at Clinton Country Club's par 73, 6,781-yard course.

Gunner Redmond tied for eighth with scores of 76-78—154; Will Orwig placed tenth with rounds of 76-80—156; Trevor Keaton tied for twelfth shooting 81-78—159; and Gavin Baer tied for twenty-fifth with scores of 83-83—166.

Mussina received United East First Team honors due to his performance, while Redmond and Orwig earned second-team recognition.

The standings showed Rosemont in second place with scores of 313-315—628; followed by Penn State Abington at 316-317—633; Rutgers-Camden at 321-313—634; Lancaster Bible College at 325-313—638; Penn State Berks also at 638 with rounds of 316-322; Penn State Harrisburg at 320-326—646; Wilson College at 371-366—737; and Clarks Summit University at the bottom with scores of 406-387—793.

Josh Africa from Penn State Harrisburg claimed medalist honors by shooting a total score of 72-71—143, narrowly beating Mussina by one stroke. Mussina's second-round score was the lowest among all golfers that day.

"It was a grind for the players. A lot of unknowns. We planned for eighteen holes and we had to adjust – play as many holes as we can," said Rob Lytle, coach of Penn College. "There aren't many tournaments that you have to play thirty-six holes."

Lytle attributed their success to thorough preparation: "I think we played well because of the preparation the kids put in before the tournament. They charted the course very well, and we set up a great schedule in April, where we played three tournaments in a week, ramping up for this tournament."

Penn College will next compete in the NCAA Division III Championship from May 16 to May 19 at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky.