GREENSBORO, NC — The Wittenberg Tigers put together a second round charge, but for a second straight day struggles on the back nine were their undoing as they bowed out of the NCAA Division III Tournament in 21st place.
Only the top 15 teams in the 40-team field advance to the final two rounds at the Grandover Resort. Wittenberg followed its disappointing opening round score of 310 on the more challenging East Course with a 296 on Day 2 on the shorter West Course. But it wasn't enough as the Tigers fell six strokes shy of the three-team playoff for the 15th and final spot in the final two rounds.
Wittenberg did move up eight spots on the second day, finishing with a two-day total of 606. Near the end of the second round, the Tigers had climbed to within two strokes of 15th place, but each of the five players recorded at least one bogey on the closing holes to end their hopes.
St. John's holds a three-stroke lead in the tournament with a sizzling score of 577.
Individually, the Tigers were paced by junior Ricky Boerner (Hilliard, Ohio/Watterson), who followed up his opening round 74 with another 74 to finish in a tie for 37th place. Right behind him was junior Jordan Millice (Cable, Ohio/Triad) in 47th place with a two-round total of 149. He was nearly as consistent as Boerner, following his opening 74 with a 75 on Day 2.
Freshman Ben Hogenkamp (Minster, Ohio/Minster) bounced back from an 81 on opening day to fire the team's low round of the tournament, even par 72, to finish 91st with a score of 153. Sophomore Craig Osterbrock (Wilmington, Ohio/Wilmington) also had a solid performance in the second round with a 75 after an 81 the previous day. He placed 156th.