Penn College Golfers Claim Sixth Straight Conference Title

A great start and another championship finish. That was the story for Pennsylvania College of Technology golfers at the conclusion Tuesday of the Penn State University Athletic Conference championships.

In two-day action on the 7,172-yard, par 72 Penn State Blue Course, the Wildcats stormed to an 18-stroke lead Monday and played well enough Tuesday to capture their sixth straight conference championship. The tournament also served as the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Invitational and the field included two non-PSUAC schools.

The bottom line, according to Penn College coach Chet Schuman: "We won!

"As I said all year, we've got a bunch of talented kids. They came and they played their hearts out. (On Monday) they played like lights out!"

Penn College topped the nine-team field with a 618 (305-313). Penn State Wilkes-Barre was second at 629, followed by the Apprentice School, 648; Penn State Abington, 658; Penn State New Kensington, 662; Penn State Hazleton, 663; Penn State Mont Alto, 687; Penn State Schuylkill, 708; and Penn State Greater Allegheny, 789. Scores of the top four individuals on each squad determined the team score.

Individually for Penn College, Eric Schall (Jersey Shore) finished second and Len Nicholas (Hollywood) was third. For their top five finishes, they were awarded All-American honors. Wildcats Schall, Nicholas, T.C. Reynolds (Montgomery) and Craig Flint (Port Allegany) also earned all-PSUAC honors.

Reynolds, who was a co-champ in theconference two years ago, had a 156 total (76-80), as did Flint (76-80). Also for Penn College, Kyle Shoultes (Sellersville) had rounds of 80-81 (161) and Douglas Wagner (Huntingdon Mills) had rounds of 81-84 (165). Chris Martin of the Apprentice School was the tournament medalist with back-to-back 74s. In all, 58 players competed.

"In their hearts, I think they just really wanted to show that that loss (Sept. 23 to Penn State New Kensington that ended Penn College's six-year unbeaten streak at 155) was a fluke. They came back to play and show to themselves that they're one of the best. They shot a 305 at a neutral site. That's just phenomenal," said the coach, in his ninth season.

Commenting on Schall's finish, Schuman said, "I'm really happy and proud for him. He is probably one of the most disciplined golfers we have."

Schuman said New Kensington coach Bill Woodard described Schall as a "professional on the golf course who expects a lot of himself and his competitors."

"We've got some great kids who came to play golf, and that's what they did. ... They showed the talent that they have," Schuman added.

Penn College concluded its season with an 18-1-1 record. Over the past six seasons, it is 166-1-1.

(Complete rosters and season schedules are available on the college's Athletics Web site).