HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. - It took 12 years for the Wittenberg Tigers to earn an invitation to the NCAA Division III Tournament. It took just four days for the Tigers to earn some serious hardware.
Wittenberg rallied on the back nine in the final round to claim runner-up honors in the tournament, as they surpassed third round leader Washington University on the final hole. Williams College pulled away to win its first championship in the sport with 1,263 strokes, followed by Wittenberg with 1,281 and Washington University with 1,285.
The Tigers spent most of the fourth round where they ended the third, in third place chasing Williams and Washington University. But as the Ephs slowly pulled away to claim the title, Wittenberg made up ground on the Bears, who posted four scores above par on the 18th hole to fall behind the Tigers in the final standings.
Wittenberg was led for a fourth straight day by sophomore Macy Hubbard (Mason, Ohio/Mason), who carded a three-over-par round of 75 to move up to second place in the individual standings. She finished the tournament at 17-over-par 305.
Hubbard finished four strokes behind Mary Hardin-Baylor's McKenzie Ralston. She started the day in fourth place.
Hubbard's second-place finish is the best ever for a Wittenberg golfer - men or women. The Tiger men have made 22 all-time appearances, with the best previous finish being fourth by Rick Lyons in 1990.
Senior Nicole Waers (Canton, Ohio/Perry) was next for the Tigers with a final-round 79 to finish at 319 total. That score was good for a 12th-place tie in the 110-player field.
Junior Maggie Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore) posted a score of 83 to finish 37th with a total score of 331, one stroke ahead of freshman Jane Hopkinson-Wood (Pottstown, Pa./The Hill School), who placed 39th in the final standings. Junior Allie Lawwill (Springboro, Ohio/Middletown) rounded out the Tigers in the field in 81st place with a 363.
"I couldn't be prouder of both teams (Wittenberg's men and women)," said Head Coach Jeff Roope. "They worked extremely hard all year, and it's nice to see that hard work pay off in their successes from start to finish this season.
"It's hard to imagine all they've accomplished and all the honors that have been bestowed upon them, but I know that they are grateful for each one. As I've said all year, Coach B (Assistant Coach Andy Bonar) and I have been privileged to be part of this journey."
Written By: Ryan Maurer