LEBANON, Pa. – IUP men's golf rebounded from a challenging opening round in a big way Saturday, posting the best team score of the day and climbing four spots into second place after two rounds of the PSAC Men's Golf Championships.
The Crimson Hawks combined to shoot 1-over par in the second round at Iron Valley Golf Club, finishing 12 strokes better than the next-best team score of the day. IUP moved from sixth place following Friday's opening round to second at 18-over for the championship.
Senior Jon Vinge and sophomore Zaiden Dennis led the charge, each firing rounds of 2-under par.
Vinge's performance moved him into a tie for sixth on the individual leaderboard at 3-over for the tournament. He is joined by teammate Ben De Castro, who also sits at 3-over through two rounds.
Junior Trevor Todd bounced back with a 2-over round, while IUP combined for 16 birdies during the day. De Castro provided another highlight with an eagle on the par-5 third hole.
Gannon holds the team lead at 11-over, seven strokes ahead of IUP entering the final round. First-round leader West Chester dropped into a tie for third with California (Pa.) at 19-over, leaving both teams just one stroke behind the Crimson Hawks. Millersville rounds out the top five at 27-over.
California's Nixen Erdely leads the individual championship at 1-under par, followed by Gannon's Mario Estevez at even par. Pitt-Johnstown's Lucas Smith, California's Gavin Goodrich are tied at 1-over and and Gannon's Rasmus Seppanen is at 2-over.
TEAM LEADER BOARD (Top Five)
1. Gannon +11
2. IUP +18
T3. West Chester +19
T3. California +19
5. Millersville +27
Player Leader board (Top Five)
1. Nixen Erdely (Cal) -1
2. Mario Estevez (Gannon) E
T3. Lucas Smith (Pitt-Johnstown) +1
T3. Gavin Goodrich (Cal) +1
5. Rasmus Seppanen (Gannon) +2
IUP Scorecard
T6 . Jon Vinge +3
T6. Ben de Castro +3
T16. Zaiden Dennis +7
T16. Sam Bishop +7
T20 Trevor Todd +10
The Crimson Hawks will enter Sunday's final round seven strokes off the lead as they look to continue their climb up the leaderboard.
