CHESTERLAND, Ohio — The Wittenberg Tigers took another big step toward the first North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) title since 1992 with a first-place finish in the Hiram Fall Invitational.
The Hiram Fall Invitational was the second event in the 2009-10 NCAC Championship Series, and it was the second straight championship trophy the Tigers have hoisted. Wittenberg carded a two-round total of 600 to outstroke defending champion Ohio Wesleyan by 10 strokes. The Tigers now have a commanding 23-stroke lead in the championship series, including a 13-stroke victory at Ohio Wesleyan earlier in the fall season.
Wittenberg was paced individually by freshman Craig Osterbrock (Wilmington, Ohio/Wilmington), who turned in rounds of 73-74 to finish second in the tournament with a 147. That was good for a first-place, which was broken in favor of Ohio Wesleyan's Peter Joyce. The next-best Wittenberg finish was turned in by freshman Bradley Shepherd (Dublin, Ohio/Watterson), who scorched the par-72, 6680-yard course for scores of 72-76 for 148, good for third place. Shepherd's scores did not apply to Wittenberg's team totals, however, as he played the invitational as an individual.
Sophomore Ricky Boerner (Hilliard, Ohio/Watterson) placed fifth as he parlayed rounds of 76-74 into a total of 150. Junior Bleu George (Lancaster, Ohio/Fisher Catholic) was next with a sixth-place finish as he posted a 151, followed by sophomore Jordan Millice (Cable, Ohio/Triad) in ninth with a score of 153 and sophomore Ben Smith (North Bend, Ohio/Elder) in 15th with a score of 156.
The Tigers have a week to rest prior to a return to action at the DePauw Small College Classic Oct. 10-11.