Waldorf finishes fifth at William Penn Classic
By Waldorf Sports Information Director
OSKALOOSA – The Waldorf University women’s golf team closed out with a team score of 671 strokes to finish fifth place at the two-day William Penn Classic, which concluded on Monday.
“[Monday] was very consistent throughout with some really nice scores against a couple of teams that are ranked,” Waldorf coach Mark Clouse said.
Fernanda Valdes tied for fifth with a 36-hole score of 158 to lead the Warriors. The junior from Morelia, Mexico compiled rounds of 77 and 81 on the par-71 layout at Edmundson Golf Course.
Junior Halle Hauer tied for 15th by recording a 165 following rounds of 82 and 83. Senior Maggie Peters tied for 25th with a 172, putting together rounds of 90 and 82.
In a field of 83 individuals, Valdes, Hauer and Peters each placed in the top third.
“Being in the top third of the field, that’s solid play,” Clouse said. “I’m really happy to see them finish out the fall season strong.”
Junior Kailee Ward tied for 40th after providing a score of 176 behind rounds of 90 and 86. Sophomore Haleigh Biernacki rounded out the Waldorf team scorers by tying for 47th, shooting a 180 on rounds of 94 and 86.
Sophomores Haley Lawrence and Mckenzie Fahrni represented the Warriors as individuals. Lawrence tied for 60th with a 189, carding rounds of 96 and 93. Fahrni claimed 78th, turning in a 218-stroke total following rounds of 110 and 108.
Fourteen teams competed at the tournament as William Penn University prepared itself for hosting the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Championships in the spring.
“That’s why the field was quite large,” Clouse said. “It was almost like we were playing in a conference preview event for the Heart of America and we fared well, which was good to see.”
William Penn, ranked No. 21 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) preseason poll, locked up the meet title with a team score of 619. William Penn’s B Team (651) captured second and finished ahead of NCAA Division II’s Truman State University (654), Briar Cliff University (658), Waldorf, Baker University (676), Mount Mercy University (692), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) member Iowa Central Community College (696), Missouri Valley College (702), Peru State College (709), Clarke University (737), St. Ambrose University (740), NJCAA’s North Iowa Area Community College (791) and NCAA Division III’s Iowa Wesleyan University (952).
William Penn’s Elise Warne earned the individual crown after carding a score of 151.
Following a fall campaign that consisted of two tournament victories, the Warriors have the offseason to train for further success in the spring.
“We’ll get into our strength and conditioning now and indoor practices will start later on,” Clouse said. “We’ve had a solid fall and some really good success. Against strong competition, we’ve fared very well and we’ll just continue to look for the same in the spring season.”