ERIE, Pa. – After a shaky start, IUP men's golf finished the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional in 11th place Thursday at the par-72 Whispering Woods Golf Club. Alex Swinnerton led the Crimson Hawks, carding a one-over 73, tying for seventh overall.
 
Swinnerton is five shots back of the individual lead heading into Friday's second round. He played par-three holes at even par and went two under on the par fives in another steady showing.
 
Davis & Elkins leads the team standings at 294 (+6), with three student-athletes among the top 20 – including individual leader Aidan Talent, who fired a four-under 68. California (Pa.) and host Gannon are tied for second at 299 (+11), followed closely by Adelphi at 300 (+12).
 
The 426-yard, par-four opening hole played as the most difficult on the course Thursday (4.86 average). It challenged IUP, with only freshman Trevor Todd making par on the hole in his regional debut. Todd finished with a seven-over 79.
 
Guillermo Salazar closed his round with four straight pars for a five-over 77. John Olsen (83) and Ben De Castro (86) rounded out the lineup for IUP.
 
The top three teams and the top two individuals not on advancing teams from each regional will move on to the NCAA DII Finals, set for May 19–23 at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. An additional eight team berths will be awarded based on prior-year regional representation in head-to-head medal play, with no more than seven teams per region.
 
Team Leaderboard (top five)
1. Davis & Elkins – 294 (+6)
T2. California (Pa.) – 299 (+11)  
T2. Gannon – 299 (+11)
4. Adelphi – 300 (+12)
5. Livingstone – 303 (+15)
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11. IUP – 312 (+24)
 
Individual Leaderboard (top five)
1. Aidan Talent (Davis & Elkins) – 68 (-4)
2. Nolan Skaggs (St. Thomas Aquinas) – 70 (-2)
3. Eman Lim (Bluefield State) – 71 (-1)
T4. William Carestam (Charleston) – 72 (E)
T4. Rasmus Seppanen (Gannon) – 72 (E)
T4. Johnny Solari (Adelphia) – 72 (E)
 
IUP Scores
T7. Alex Swinnerton – 73 (+1)
T32. Guillermo Salazar – 77 (+5)
T52. Trevor Todd – 79 (+7)
T78. John Olsen – 83 (+11)
T93. Ben De Castro – 86 (+14)
 
Up Next
IUP aims to make up ground during its second round tomorrow (May 9), teeing off at 8:20 a.m.
 
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