Sword Leads Sunday Charge at Nye Intercollegiate

Behind Blake Sword's one-under 71 on Sunday, The College of Wooster made an aggressive charge at their own Nye Intercollegiate, as the Fighting Scots finished in fifth-place and just nine strokes out of top-3 contention in the first of two scoring events that will make up the North Coast Athletic Conference standings.

Playing at the par-72, 6,545 yard Wooster Country Club in Wooster, Ohio, the Scots' starting lineup totaled a 331 on Saturday, which tied them for fifth-place, but kept them well-distanced from the top-3 teams. Then, battling though a light, but steady rain Sunday, Wooster made up some ground by shooting an impressive 306 to finish just three strokes off Wittenberg University (303) for the day's top effort.

Overall, the Scots remained in fifth-place with a two-day score of 637, but closed the gap on the frontrunners. Third-place Denison University (628) is just nine strokes ahead on the scoreboard, while second-place Ohio Wesleyan University (615) and first-place Wittenberg (602) have created a bit more separation.

Sword got off to a hot start Sunday by shooting two-under on the front nine, which included birdies on hole No. 1 (par-5, 491 yards), No. 8 (par-3, 168 yards), and No. 9 (par-4, 385 yards). On the back nine, he shot par on every hole except No. 18 (bogey), to give him a final score of 71 which led all scorers.

For the weekend, Sword shot a 157 (86-71), but it was Michael Peters that was most consistent and led Wooster with a 151 (76-75). Tim Faerber's 163 (85-78), John Angelo's 167 (85-82), and Greg Benckart's 172 (88-87) made up the rest of Wooster's team scoring, while Andrew Young, who played as an individual and was not part of the team score, shot a solid 163 (81-82).

The event's individual medalist was Wittenberg's Ben Hogenkamp, who shot a one-over 73 on both days to score a 146.

Wooster will compete in the second, and final portion of the NCAC's scored events next weekend at the Hiram Invitational on Saturday and Sunday.