The Valparaiso University men’s golf team continued a busy stretch of competition on Monday by beginning the Wright State Invitational. The Crusaders posted a 746 through two rounds and rank fourth in the six-team field.

How It Happened

• After taking medalist honors on Sunday at Indiana, Peter Webb (Madison, Wis. / James Madison Memorial) paced the Crusaders again on Monday. He is tied for sixth overall at 144 after carding a 73 in Round 1 and a 71 in Round 2.
• Nick Seitz (Xenia, Ohio / Carroll) posted a 77 in Round 1, but bounced back by trimming six strokes off his score for a 71 in Round 2. Seitz’s 148 is tied for 19^th.
• Michael Doherty (Lisle, Ill. / Naperville North) had a solid day. He posted a 74 in Round 1 and followed with a 76 in Round 2. He finished the day at 150, tied for 24^th overall.
• Mitchell Wittmann (Kaukauna, Wis. / James Madison Memorial) checked in at 75 in the opening round, then carded a 79 in Round 2.
• Zach Cutler (O’Fallon, Mo. / Timberland) tied with Wittmann for 37^th as both turned in 154s. Cutler had a 76 over the first 18 holes, followed by a 78.
• Adam Baracani (Normal, Ill. / University) bounced back from an 81 in Round 1 by compiling a 75 in Round 2. He enters the final round at 156, in 46^th place.
• Jeremy Wu (Medford, Ore. / St. Mary’s) played as an individual and posted a 78 in Round 1, followed by a 75 in Round 2. He sits at 153, tied for 34^th, entering the final day.

Inside the Rounds

• Wittenberg holds the team lead at 717, followed by Northern Kentucky (734) and Wright State (745). Four of the six teams in the field are from the Horizon League. The Crusaders are just one stroke behind the host Raiders and five strokes ahead of Green Bay.
• The Crusaders rank third in Pars at 71. They had nine birdies on the first day of competition, led by Seitz and Wu with four apiece.
• Webb leads the field with 16 pars.

Thoughts from Head Coach Dave Gring

"It took some time for us to adjust to the speed of the greens during the first round this morning.  Our putting was pretty poor for the first nine holes, and that added to a lot of our bogeys to start the day.  We're still missing too many opportunities to capitalize on close shots into the greens, but we are certainly working on improving that area of our game."

"The speed on our putts is still not where it needs to be and we need to do a better job leaving our long putts and downhill putts closer to the hole. The greens were fast today and our team scoring will continue to improve when we reduce the 3-putts and make more birdie putts."

"I continue to be encouraged with the gradual improvement in ball-striking this spring.  We are hitting more fairways and greens and as we get the ball closer to the hole in regulation, the birdie production will improve."

Up Next

The Crusaders will partake in the third and final round of the tournament on Tuesday. It is scheduled to tee off at 9 a.m. CT. A link to live scoring is available on ValpoAthletics.com.