Copyright 2015; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of Troy Miller courtesy of the University of Hawaii at Hilo Sports Information Department.
WAIKOLOA, Hawaii - - The Wilmington University golf team wrapped up it 2015 fall season with its best round of the campaign, moving up a spot into second place at the Dennis Rose Invitational hosted by the University of Hawaii at Hilo on the Waikoloa Kings' Course on Saturday.
The Wildcats jumped two teams with a 286 on Saturday, moving into sole possession of second place with a team score of 879 in the three rounds. The Wildcats went 301-292-286 for their 879 (+15) in Paradise.
Sophomore Joey Russo and freshman Ryan Rucinski led the team on Saturday by each recording a 71 in the final round. But it was a pair of individuals that were featured atop the leaderboard for the tournament for Wilmington.
Junior Sam Clark led the individuals with a fifth place finish, finishing the tournament with a 73 on Saturday to come in with a 214 (-2) for the three-round tournament. Clark shot a 69-72-73 in Hawaii.
Junior Troy Miller finished a stroke behind Clark, shooting another 72 on Saturday to finish with a 215 (-1) in the three rounds. He shot a 71-72-72 for his 215 in the two days.
The top scorer for the Wildcats was Russo, as he improved every round to shoot a 219 (+3). Russo went 76-72-71 in the three rounds to finish in a tie for 11th overall.
Rucinski also improved with every round, shooting a 76-73-71 to finish in a tie for 13th overall with a 220 (+4). Rucinski tied with teammate Jordan Lamb in 13th place, as Lamb went 78-70-72 for his 220 (+4) for the tournament.
Senior Andreas Lunding shot a 72 on Saturday to finish with a 222 (+6) in Hawaii. Lunding shot a 71-79-72 to sit in a tie for 18th overall.
Senior Alex Healy rounded out the Wildcats, as he also improved with every round, shooting an 82-77-74 for a 233 (+17). He moved up seven spots on the leaderboard from Friday, finishing in a tie for 41st overall.
The Wildcats trailed only Cal State Monterey Bay in the standings, as CSU Monterey Bay ran away with the title, scoring an 852 (-12) for the tournament. They shot a team best 281 on Saturday to wrap up the tournament.
UC San Diego's Clayton Yamaguchi earned medalist honors by two strokes, finishing out the tournament with a 70 on Saturday for a 209 (-7). He shot 70-69-60 for the championship.
The Wildcats will gather their thoughts and continue their training through the winter before getting back on the links for the 2016 spring championship season.
