(OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.) – The William Penn women’s golf team took advantage of finally getting on the course for consecutive days as it competed well at the Oklahoma City Classic Monday and Tuesday.

Ranked #22 WPU finished third out of 13 teams with a three-round score of 926 (304-316-306) at the par-72 Lincoln Park West Golf Course. #13 Oklahoma City defended its home turf at 906 (306-302-298), while #7 Texas Wesleyan was second at 915.

TWU’s Alex Schies won the individual crown in the 72-player field at one-under 215 (73-70-72).

The navy and gold, who have only played one competitive round since last October, were in the mix from the opening tee, sitting just a shot back after the first 18 holes. Their first round score of 304 tied for fifth-best in school history.

The program has only competed in four 54-hole tournaments all-time (all in the past two years), but the Statesmen crushed the team (previously at 945) and individual (previously at 233) records. Megan Rhoads (Jr., Schertz, Texas, Psychology) set a new school mark at 229 (76-79-74) to tie for 11th overall.

Elise Warne (Jr., Melbourne, Australia, Exercise Science) was a close second in 13th place at 231 (76-80-75), while Brittany Evans (So., Fernley, Nev., Business Management) was in the top 20 as well, tying for 20th at 236 (80-76-80).

Brooke Fletcher (Sr., Atlantic, Iowa, Business Management) finished 30th at 239 (78-84-77), and Helene Larsen (Jr., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management) was in a tie for 33rd at 242 (74-81-87).

Individually, Alexis Guimaraes (So., San Ramon, Calif., Psychology) took 54th at 257 (84-89-84).

“I could not be happier with how we finished,” Head Coach Chris Pierson said. “With all the adversity we have faced this spring with weather, to go to Oklahoma City and finish third, and shoot the scores we did, it was a tremendous accomplishment. I give a lot of credit to our players for coming together, handling everything professionally, and competing at a high level.”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Lawrence, Kan. next Wednesday and Thursday to compete in the Baker Invitational. Play will be contested at Eagle Bend Golf Course, the host course of next month’s NAIA National Championships.

(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) – Zachary Chegwidden (So., Essex, England, Business Management) and Helene Larsen (Jr., Viborg, Denmark, Business Management) won their respective tournaments, and for their efforts they were named Heart of America Athletic Conference Golfers of the Week Monday.

Chegwidden’s laurel is his fifth of the season and seventh overall in his career, while Larsen’s award is the first of her career.  Chegwidden was first out of 63 players at the Kansas Wesleyan Invitational, while Larsen topped the 17-player field at the Mike “Fluff” Cowan Invitational.

Chegwidden posted a three-under 137 (69-68) for his second crown of the year.  He was the lone player to break par both days and has now done so seven times in his sophomore campaign.  He owns a 72.9 stroke average over 17 rounds with a low of 66.

The honor is the fifth of the year for the men’s program.

Larsen’s 74 tied her for first; she claimed the medalist award in a playoff.  It is the first tournament win of 2017-2018 for the junior who is averaging 79.4 strokes per round (11 rounds, low of 72).  She has six rounds in the 70s this year.

It is the sixth time this year that the women’s program has collected the “Player of the Week” award.