Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern MaryKate Rumbaugh
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Before their trip to the Atlantic/East Super Regional Tournament, the Wilmington University men's golf team's Ryan Rucinski was named Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Player of the Year, as teammate Enrique Valverde earned a spot on the CACC All-Conference Team, as announced by Commissioner Dan Mara.
Rucinski tied for fourth in the Crofton Invitational from April 22-23 with a three round total of 223 (+7), including a second-round even par score of 72. In the SNHU Penmen Invitational, which was shorted due to rain, he finished tied for first, finishing with a two-under-par, 70. In early February, Rucinski competed against some of the top players in Division II at the Saint Leo Invitational in Florida, as he finished 10th with an even-par score of 216 through three rounds. The senior recently led the Wildcats at the NCAA DII Atlantic/East Super Regional, finishing third overall in the tournament. Throughout the three-day tournament, he shot rounds of 74-73-72 for a 219 (+3). This is the second time in Rucinski's career earning the CACC Player of the Year honor. He is currently ranked fourth overall in the East Region heading into the Division II National Tournament, according to GolfStat.com.
Enrique Valverde tied Rucinski at the Crofton Invite, tying for fourth overall with an identical score of Rucinski's 223 (+7). Valverde went 77-74-72 throughout the three rounds. In the Penmen Spring Invitational, the sophomore tied for first, shooting a round of 70 (-2), as the second round was postponed. In the Wildcats recent appearance at the NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Super Regional, he finished tied for 14th overall with an overall 226 (+10), shooting 77-76-73 throughout the three day tournament. This is Valverde's first time earning the All-Conference Team in just his second year with the program. Valverde enters the National Tournament ranked sixth in the East Region according to GolfStat.com.
With their third place overall finish at the Atlantic/East Super Regional Tournament, the Wildcats earned their spot in the 2019 NCAA Division II National Tournament, which will begin on Monday, May 20 in Daniels, West Virginia.
Along with Rucinski, other major award winners were Concordia's Gabe Goodman, who earned CACC Rookie of the Year, and Dominican's Keith Prokop, who was named CACC Coach of the Year. Concordia College earned the Team Sportsmanship to round out the major awards.
AGATE:
2018-19 CACC Men's Golf All-Conference Team
Sebastian Armas (Dominican College)
Kanoon Bunthanawong (Concordia College)
Michael Erickson (Post University)
Gabe Goodman (Concordia College)
Minwoo Park (Concordia College)
Danny Parker (Dominican College)
Ryan Rucinski (Wilmington University)
Matthieu Sicard (Post University)
Enrique Valverde (Wilmington University)
Hunter Wescott (Dominican College)
Player of the Year: Ryan Rucinski (Wilmington University)
Rookie of the Year: Gabe Goodman (Concordia College)
Coach of the Year: Keith Prokop (Dominican College)
Team Sportsmanship Award: Concordia College