NORMAL, Ill. - The Wittenberg Tigers posted a fifth-place finish at the 2016 Kathy Niepagen Spring Fling, hosted by Illinois Wesleyan University. A mere 10 strokes separated the top six teams in the final standings of the 21-team tournament, which included seven teams ranked in the top 27 nationally and NAIA powerhouse Indiana Tech.

Host Illinois Wesleyan and Indiana Tech finished with matching two-day totals of 614 on the 5,835-yard, par-72 Ironwood Golf Course. Wittenberg's North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival DePauw placed third at 619, followed by Washington University with 620, Wittenberg with 622 and Centre with 624.

Wittenberg, ranked second in the most recent GolfStat statistical rankings, carded scores of 315 and 307 in the two rounds. The Tigers' second-round score tied for best on the day, matching the scores posted by Indiana Tech, 11th-ranked DePauw and 14th-ranked Washington University.

Senior Maggie Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) was Wittenberg's top finisher in the tournament as she carded scores of 73 and 74 to finish in a tie for third place with a total of 147. Sophomore Jane Hopkinson-Wood (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School) also finished in the top 10 after totaling 150 for the two rounds.

Junior Macy Hubbard (Mason, Ohio/Mason) finished 30th with a 160, freshman Chloe Bradburn (Gahanna, Ohio/Columbus Academy) took 55th with a 166, and senior Allie Lawwill (Springboro, Ohio/Middletown) placed 68th with a 169.

The Tigers return to the Buckeye state for the most important two weeks so far in the 2015-16 season. Hiram hosts the first two rounds of the NCAC Championship Series April 23-24 at Boulder Creek Golf Club in Streetsboro, and then Wooster welcomes the league field to Wooster Country Club April 30-May 1.

Written By: Ryan Maurer