Warriors secure second in Waldorf Invitational

By Matt Oliver

FOREST CITY – The Waldorf College women’s golf team earned second place with a 358-stroke total in Sunday’s Waldorf Invitational.

Fernanda Valdes led the Warriors, claiming runner-up honors behind an 11-over par score of 82 in the 18-hole tournament at Bear Creek Golf Course.

Valdes, a sophomore from Morelia, Mexico, recorded her third top-five performance of the fall season and finished just two strokes behind William Penn University’s Helene Larsen.

“She had another strong finish,” Waldorf coach Mark Clouse said. “I know she was feeling a little disappointed. She had one bad hole, which cost her first place, but second place is an awfully good finish.”

Maggie Peters fired an 85 as the junior from Jewell locked up fourth for the Warriors.

“Maggie was very consistent,” Clouse said. “We’re definitely looking for her to always contribute a good score to the team.”

Waldorf sophomore Kailee Ward provided a boost with a strong finish as she tied for 10th with a 90-stroke performance.

“Kailee really came back on the back nine to help the team score,” Clouse said.

The Warriors received their final team score from freshman Haleigh Biernacki, who took 17th with a 101. Waldorf freshman Mckenzie Fahrni competed as an individual and placed 21st after carding a 104. Sophomore Trinity Hill finished 22nd with a 105.

William Penn won the team championship with a 342 to top Waldorf (358) by 16 strokes. Graceland University’s junior varsity team (409) placed third while NCAA Division III’s Iowa Wesleyan University (453) ended the day in fourth.

The Warriors wrap up the fall campaign in the William Penn Classic. They open the two-day tournament next Sunday at Oskaloosa, starting at 10 a.m.

“It’ll be a strong field at William Penn,” Clouse said. “We’ll use this week to prepare and hopefully improve on this week.”