LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Wittenberg Tigers lived up their pre-season billing to start the 2015-16 season, posting an impressive second-place finish at the Transylvania Fall Invitational.

The Tigers carded a three-round total of 872 on the Blue Course at the University Club of Kentucky to finish six strokes off the pace set by host Transylvania. The 16-team field included three nationally ranked squads and a total of five teams that competed in the 2015 NCAA Division III Tournament.

Wittenberg, ranked fourth in the preseason 2015-16 poll after taking third place nationally last May, tied for runner-up honors with perennial powerhouse Guilford. Greensboro took fourth with an 883 and Centre rounded out the top five with a score of 884.

After graduating three starters off the 2015-16 team, Wittenberg didn't appear to miss a beat as all five players finished in the top half of the 90-player field. Leading the charge was senior All-American Sam Geise (Springboro, Ohio/Springboro), who finished with a three-round total of three-under-par 213. He tied for fourth in the final standings, four strokes off the pace set by Greensboro's Levi Grogan.

Junior Mark David Wright (Westerville, Ohio/Tree of Life) was next up for the Tigers as he placed 12th with a total of 218. Freshman Colin Laszlo (Waipahu, Hawaii/Punahou) was next at 220, good for 16th place.

Rounding things out for Wittenberg were junior Sam Stilwell (Dominion, Va./Sterling) in 28th with a 224 and freshman Darnell Ellis (Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Reynoldsburg) in 43rd with a total of 227.

A challenging fall schedule continues Sept. 12-13 at the NCAA Championship Preview in Rochester, NY.

Written By: Ryan Maurer