Statesmen Claim Top Two Spots En Route to Fall-Ending Second Place

Overland Park, Kan.--Olivia Lange (Sr., Buckeburg, Germany, Business Management) capped off a big fall season as she took home another title and helped the William Penn women's golf team to the silver at the Heart Preview Monday and Tuesday.

The Statesmen finished second out of nine teams with a two-round score of 650 (329-321) at the par-72 Nicklaus Golf Club at Lionsgate.  Nicklaus Golf Club will be the host of next spring's Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship which will be held on April 14-15.

Park held on for the team crown by just four strokes at 646 (323-323).

WPU concludes the autumn campaign with two tournament victories and a trio of runner-up placings.

The navy and gold were paced by their 1-2 punch of Lange and Gabriana Franco (Jr., Tracy, Calif., Exercise Science) as they earned the top two spots in the 45-player standings.

Lange ended up in first place, collecting her third individual title of the fall.  The senior, who recorded five total birdies at the event, carded a 76 on Monday and a 75 on Tuesday for a two-day total of 151.

Franco was right behind her teammate, finishing only one stroke behind in a tie for second at 152 (76-76).  Her two rounds were highlighted by six birdies.

Bliss Martin (Jr., Hamilton, Ill., Biology) was next for William Penn in 16th at 174 (93-81), while Emma Lawson (Sr., Rossville, Ind., Exercise Science) finished one stroke back at 175 (84-91) to tie for 17th.

Riley Burns (Sr., Edwardsville, Ill., Elementary Education) wrapped up the varsity lineup by tying for 26th at 183 (94-89).

Playing as an individual, Sarah Gutuza (Fr., Germiston, South Africa, Political Science) tied for 21st at 177 (94-83).

"This was a good outing for us as we were resilient and stuck to the game plan on another challenging course," Head Coach Elise Ibrahim said.  "We were close to Park throughout, pushing us to elevate our game.  While we fell just short, we were able to get some good preparation for the conference tournament in the spring."

"Olivia Lange and Gabriana Franco again stood out with excellent rounds," Ibrahim added.  "They have had tremendous seasons and the team has progressed throughout the fall."

Next Up: William Penn is off until the spring season.