The Wheeling University Men’s Golf team is gearing up for their next big challenge—the I.U.P. Cecil C. Spadafora Invitational in Indiana, Pennsylvania. This tournament is crucial as they sit 12th in the NCAA regional rankings. Doing well here could ease their path to the NCAA Regionals in May.
Last week, they competed in the MEC Spring Classic and finished 5th out of 14 teams. While they didn’t win, the team can take pride in beating regional rival Pitt-Johnstown, ranked 2nd in the area, as well as Fairmont State and West Liberty.
Zak Collins, a sophomore, and Sean Dobson, a graduate student, were standout players. Collins tied for 10th place with scores of 71 and 73. This performance earned him a spot in the top 3 of the MEC yearly standings and a place on the All-MEC First Team, following a strong finish last fall. Dobson wasn’t far behind, tying for 7th with scores of 72 and 70. His close finish last fall kept him from the First Team, but he received an All-MEC Second Team honor instead.
Another star of the competition was graduate student Troy Loughry, who finished 21st with a total of 4-over par. His consistent play also earned him an All-MEC Honorable Mention. This is notable as it’s the first time three Wheeling players have received conference honors in the same season, showcasing the impact of new head coach Thadd Obecny.
Freshman Luke Wennberg and sophomore Federico Cobos Kallman completed the starting lineup. Cobos Kallman shot rounds of 76 and 77, while Wennberg scored 78 and 73, finishing 55th and 42nd, respectively.
The Cardinals aim to build on their recent performances in their final two tournaments of the season. They’ll face their Atlantic regional rivals, and strong results could propel them into nationals.
The Spadafora Invitational starts at 11 AM and runs over Tuesday and Wednesday. You can check the scoring updates here.
This year, the team’s dedication and teamwork are shining. As they move forward, this focus will be key in chasing their goals.
