GREENSBORO, NC - The Wittenberg Tigers got off to a strong start for a second straight day at the 2014 NCAA Division III Tournament. This time, the Tigers closed the round almost as well, allowing Wittenberg to post the fourth-best score of the day to move up eight spots and make the 15-team cut.
Wittenberg came into the day in a four-way tie for 21st place, but the fourth-ranked Tigers moved all the way up to a tie for 13th to remain in competition for the program's first national championship. Playing the shorter West Course at the Grandover Resort after posting a 303 on the opening day on the East Course, the Tigers carded a six-over-par round of 294 to keep pace with a crowded field of 15 remaining contenders.
Schreiner leads the tournament by four strokes, but a mere 21 strokes separate the remaining 15 teams heading into the final two rounds. Oglethorpe carded the lowest score of the second round with a one--under-par 287 to stand second, four strokes ahead of Texas @ Tyler.
Wittenberg was led individually on Day 2 by senior Ben Hogenkamp (Minster, Ohio/Minster) with a 71. His two-round total is now 147, putting him in a tie for 29th place. Among the players level with Hogenkamp is junior Alex Andrews (Kirtland, Ohio/Gilmour Academy), who posted an even-par round of 72 on Day 2.
Juniors John Chaney (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Gilmour Academy) and Jared Wissinger (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) are six strokes behind their teammates with two-day totals of 153, good for a tie for 90th. Senior David Wetterich (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) is in 116th place with a score of 156.
"Every year I'm amazed at the depth of Division III golf," said Head Coach Jeff Roope. "So many top-10 teams went home today after the cut was made. We battled hard today to make the final 15. I'm very proud of our team."
Tee times have been moved up for the third round in anticipation of bad weather later in the day. The Tigers drew an early time to hit the course, with tee times starting at 7 a.m. on the more challenging East Course.