BEREA, OHIO -- With a veteran lineup returning, the Baldwin Wallace University men's golf team will look to build on a solid fall campaign and make a run at the school's first ever Ohio Athletic Conference title in 2010. Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Tom Heil, the Yellow Jackets finished fourth or better in every fall tournament they participated in.
"We have a very talented group of young men who are among the top groups in the OAC," said Heil. "We had a good fall season and put ourselves in position to battle for an OAC title this spring. The key will be consistency. If we can gain consistency from the top to the bottom of our lineup, we have the talent and ability to win the title."
Once again leading the squad will be All-OAC seniors Nick Bryan (Zanesville/ Bishop Rosecrans) and Mike Falk (Strongsville) and junior Matt Weiss (Concord/Mentor).
This past fall, Bryan led the team with a 76.25 stroke average in four tournaments and eight total rounds played. A two-time All-OAC performer, Bryan's best fall tournament came in the season-ending Mount Union College Invitational where he placed tied for third as an individual with a two day total of 147 (71-76) strokes. In addition, Bryan was named Academic All-OAC At-Large and an ESPN THE MAGAZINE Academic All-District IV pick the past two seasons. He enters his final season with a career 76.41 stroke average.
"Nick had a good start to his senior season this fall," said Heil. "He continued to improve every week and was definitely playing his best golf towards the end of the fall. If Nick has a good winter, he again will be one of the best golfers in the OAC this spring. I am really looking forward to seeing what Nick can accomplish this spring."
Weiss was second in the fall with a 76.50 stroke average. He earned OAC Golfer of the Week honors for his efforts during the week of September 21-27. Weiss earned his honor by placing in a tie for third individually at the OAC Invitational Tournament that BW hosted at the Fox Meadows Country Club in Medina. In that event, Weiss carded rounds of 75 and 74 for a five-over-par total of 149 strokes on the 6,917-yard, par-72 layout.
"In my opinion, Matt was our best golfer this fall and I think he is only scratching the surface of how good he can be." said Heil. "Matt exudes confidence in everything he does and because of that confidence he is a great student and a great golfer. I really enjoy coaching Matt and am very excited to see what kind of things he will accomplish this spring."
Falk was third with a 76.63 averaged and earned OAC Golfer of the Week honors for his performance during the week of September 14-20 as he carded rounds of 76 and 74 for a 36-hole total of 150 strokes to place eighth individually at the Ohio Wesleyan University Invitational. Two years ago, Falk also placed eighth at the 2008 OAC Championship to earn All-OAC status.
"Mike had a great fall and was one of our most consistent golfers," said Heil. "Mike is a tremendously intelligent young man and that intelligence is evident on the golf course. I am looking for Mike to have a great spring."
Also back are senior Cory Swaisgood (Fremont/ St. Joseph's Central Catholic), junior Brian Routhieaux (Gibsonia, Pa./ Mars Area), sophomores Ricky Jaskolski (North Royalton/ Parma Padua), Kyle Lewis (Riverside, Calif./ Riverside Poly) and Chris Juszczak (East Liverpool) and freshmen Stephen Spalding (Stow/Walsh Jesuit) and Connor Cronkite (Fairview, Pa./Erie Cathedral Prep).
Spalding and Swaisgood were No.4 and No.5 this fall. In his first season, Spalding showed improvement and averaged 76.83 strokes per round. Swaisgood, a two-year letterman, averaged 79.63 strokes per round. In addition, both Jaskolski and Routhieux have the talent to post a low number. Jaskolski averaged 81.63 strokes and Routhieux averaged 81.63 strokes per 18 holes.
Cronkite also had a good start to his college career and averaged 82.00 strokes per round. Lewis averaged a career-low 82.33 strokes per round and shot a career-low 78 on day one of the Mt. Union tourney. Juszczak averaged of 82.50 per 18 holes.
"We have a solid team and 10 young men who all have the ability to post low scores and be a part of our top five," said Heil. "The real key for us as a team and program is to gain consistency. We need the main five who make up the team for a particular tournament to all play well. We look forward to the challenges ahead."
The Yellow Jackets open the 2010 spring campaign by playing at the two-day and 36-hole Spring Hill College Tournament in Mobile Alabama on March 8-9. Then the Jackets will train the rest of the week in Panama City, Florida before returning home to compete in its northern schedule and the OAC Tournament. The first northern event is on Friday and Saturday, March 26-27 at the Muskingum University Spring Invitational at Eagle Sticks Golf Course in Zanesville, Ohio. The 2010 OAC Tournament is hosted by Mt. Union College on April 30 and May 1.
FOR MORE BW Sports Information, please contact Sports Information Director Kevin Ruple by telephone at 440-826-2327 and e-mail at kruple@bw.edu or Assistant SID Nick Minerd by phone at 440-826-2780 and e-mail at nminerd@bw.edu. Fans can access the latest BW athletics information at www.bw.edu/athletics and we invite you to join us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bwathletics.
