The Valparaiso University men’s golf team got off to a strong start at the Horizon League Championships in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. on Sunday. The Crusaders posted a 297 in Round 1 and currently stand in second place in the eight-team event, only three strokes off the pace set by first-place Cleveland State.

How It Happened

• Peter Webb (Madison, Wis. / James Madison Memorial) tied for sixth overall, stroking a 73 (+1). He is one of five individuals at the T-6 position, three strokes behind individual leader Kyle Gaines of Detroit Mercy.
• Mitchell Wittmann (Kaukauna, Wis. / Kaukauna) stroked a 74 (+2) and is tied for second.
• Michael Doherty (Lisle, Ill. / Naperville North) and Nick Seitz (Xenia, Ohio / Carrol) carded a 75 (+3) and tied for 14^th.
• Zach Cutler (O’Fallon, Mo. / Timberland) posted an 80 (+8) and sits in a tie for 29^th.

Inside the Rounds

• The Crusaders lead the field with 57 total pars.
• Valpo had nine birdies in the round, led by Seitz and Webb with three apiece.
• The Crusaders rank first in Par 4 average at 4.22.
• Doherty and Wittmann are tied for the tournament lead with 14 pars apiece.

Standings – Through Round 1
1 Cleveland State   294 +6
2 Valparaiso 297 +9
3 Oakland   301 +13
4 Detroit Mercy 302 +14
5 Wright State   303 +15
6 Northern Kentucky 307 +19
7 Green Bay 310 +22
8 Youngstown State  319 +31

Thoughts from Head Coach Dave Gring

"The championship has three rounds, so we were pleased with a good start in the first round and we won't make any more of it. The guys are playing with a lot of confidence and we will need to work hard again tomorrow."

"We felt good with our plan coming in to the tournament and how to approach each hole on the course. The guys executed shots well today. We still didn't play the Par 3s to our standards and we need to take more advantage of scoring on the Par 5s."

"Mitch and Michael were very steady for us with 14 pars by each of the guys. Both of them putted very well and their chipping around the greens were terrific. With a little more familiarity on the greens from today's round, we will hopefully get some more birdie putts to drop tomorrow."

Up Next

The Crusaders will continue the Horizon League Championships with Round 2 on Monday at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla. A link to live scoring is available on ValpoAthletics.com.