Two College Golfers Headed for State Conference Championships
Monday, October 8, 2001
Although it won't be in the running for a team title, Pennsylvania College of Technology will be represented by two golfers seeking individual honors Monday and Tuesday in the Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships on Penn State's Blue Course.
Wildcat freshman Josh Wells (DuBois) and sophomore Bryan Vertigan (Emmaus) go into the championships seeded third and seventh, respectively, as a result of their play earlier this week in the Eastern Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference tournament.
Wells shot a 77 in the EPCC tourney and Vertigan an 86, helping Penn College to a fifth-place finish among 12 teams. For placing among the top eight, they also earned all-North Division honors. For Vertigan, it was his second year in a row for the award.
"Unfortunately, we're only taking two to states. We didn't play our best golf, but the kids gave it their all. It was a little disappointing for me, but more for the players," assessed Wildcat Coach Chet Schuman.
According to the coach, Vertigan "didn't shoot his best round, but really lit up the back nine. He shot one over par on the back. That shows you the potential Bryan has."
"Josh played his usual steady game," Schuman said.
Looking ahead to the state championships, where 18 holes will be played each day, Schuman said, "We're hoping for decent weather. Last year, the weather there was an atrocity: We had rain, sleet and a little bit of snow."
"The kids are familiar with the course, so, hopefully, they'll get off to a good start with a practice round on Sunday and shoot well. I don't think either one has hit his potential.
"They both have potential of getting individual honors," Schuman continued, noting that a finish among the Top 10 would be rewarded with all-conference honors.