TIFFIN, Ohio — It was about as close to a perfect day as you could get for the IUP men's golf team Monday — from ideal conditions to stellar play across the lineup. IUP leads the field after 36 holes at Tiffin's Kyle Ryman Memorial, while
Alex Swinnerton and
Guillermo Salazar enter the final round first and second on the individual leaderboard.
IUP got better as the day progressed, playing 36 holes at the par-72 Mohawk Golf & Country Club. Placing its entire lineup among the top 15 individually, IUP posted a combined team score of 558 (-18).
Sitting 11 shots ahead of host Tiffin (569; -7), the Hawks were particularly stellar in round two. IUP combined to go 12-under-par during the second batch of 18 holes, expanding its lead and pulling away from the rest of the field with one round remaining.
Leading the charge for the Crimson Hawks were two stalwart seniors in Swinnerton and Salazar. The entire scoring lineup (top four scores counted in team scoring) posted a 36-hole mark under par in one of the most complete efforts under the tutelage of head coach Dan Braun.
Swinnerton had the low round of any player in the field with a second round 67 (-5). It's his lowest round of the season and the lowest 36-hole total of his collegiate tenure. Swinnerton has racked up 38 career rounds of par or better, pouring in a combined eight birdies and an eagle on Monday.
Salazar was strong throughout the day with just one bogey in the first round before adding another eagle in round two. He has 29 collegiate rounds of par or better and occupies a three-way tie for second overall.
Not to be outshined was first-year golfer
Zaiden Dennis (5th), who had just three bogeys or worse. Dennis birdied on seven of 36 holes and tied for second in the field with 25 pars.
Ben De Castro followed up a workmanlike first round with a one-under 71 in round two. He is 11th in the field and one stroke outside the top 10.
Trevor Todd found his game in round two with a two-under 70, jumping 11 places to a tie for 14th overall.
Jon Vinge, making his season debut as an individual, improved his tally by three shots round over round. Vinge is tied for 44th place.
IUP did much of its damage on par-five holes Monday at a combined 15-under-par.
Team Leaderboard (Top Five; 13 teams)
1. IUP — 282, 276 (558)
2. Tiffin — 290, 279 (569)
3. Pitt-Johnstown — 288, 288 (576)
T4. California (Pa.) — 299, 291 (590)
T4. Malone — 291, 299 (590)
Individual Leaderboard (Top Five)
1.
Alex Swinnerton (IUP) — 70, 67 (137; -7)
T2.
Guillermo Salazar (IUP) — 69, 70 (139; -5)
T2. Robert Johnson (Kentucky State) — 69, 70 (139; -5)
T2. Winston Brown (Tiffin) — 71, 68 (139; -5)
5.
Zaiden Dennis (IUP) — 71, 69 (140; -4)
IUP Results
1.
Alex Swinnerton — 70, 67 (137; -7)
T2.
Guillermo Salazar — 69, 70 (139; -5)
5.
Zaiden Dennis — 71, 69 (140; -4)
11.
Ben De Castro — 72, 71 (143; -1)
T14.
Trevor Todd — 75, 70 (145; +1)
T44.
Jon Vinge (individual) — 78, 75 (153; +9)
Up Next
With stormy conditions forecasted, the Crimson Hawks will look to close out the Kyle Ryman Memorial on Tuesday, October 7 with the final 18 holes.
Follow
For updates on IUP men's golf, follow the Crimson Hawks on X (Twitter) @IUPgolf, Instagram @IUPmgolf, and online at IUPathletics.com.
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About IUP
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As IUP celebrates its
150th anniversary in 2025 and through the
Impact 150 comprehensive campaign, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking to its next 150 years of student success, innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.
