DELAWARE, Ohio - For the fourth time in their last five starts, the Wittenberg Tigers picked up a championship trophy after dominating the field at Ohio Wesleyan's Strimer Memorial Invitational.
The Tigers, ranked No. 6 in the nation in the latest poll after previously standing in the top spot, posted scores of 9-over-par 293 and 1-over-par 285 to pull away for a 21-stroke victory. The second round score is tied for the fifth-best in program history. NAIA scholarship program Lindenwood was the runner-up with a two-round total of 599, followed by Otterbein at 601.
A pair of Tigers tied for first place individually, with junior Alex Andrews (Kirtland, Ohio/Gilmour Academy) winning a one-hole sudden-death playoff against senior David Wetterich (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) to claim medalist honors. Wetterich carded rounds of 72 and 71 on the par-71, 6,862-yard course at Oakhaven Golf Club, while Andrews rallied on Day 2, going low for a 69 after a first-round 74 to total 143. The 69 is tied for the 10th-best round in program history.
Senior Ben Hogenkamp (Minster, Ohio/Minster) was right behind with rounds of 73 and 72 to finish third with a total of 145. Sophomore Sam Geise (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro) was next with a 148 to place sixth, and junior John Chaney (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Gilmour Academy) rounded out the scorers with a 152, good for 20th place.
The Tigers return to action April 12-13 at Denison's Ted Barclay Invitational. Wittenberg is the defending champion in the event.