Grace’s Wilburn Claims NCCAA Individual Title
October 23, 2021 at 4:28 a.m.
Grace’s Wilburn Claims NCCAA Individual Title
By Jeff Raymond-
Wilburn arrived at the tournament averaging 80.8 per 18 holes in nine previous rounds this fall, with a low round of 76. At Hammock Beach he shot a three-round total of 223 for a 74.3 average, including a magnificent round of 69 on the opening day. The NCCAA title actually took three extra holes, as Wilburn was tied with Marcos de Ezcurra from Asbury University (Ky.) after 54 holes. Wilburn claimed the top spot by winning a three-hole playoff and became the first individual national champion for the men's golf program.
"The performance by Parker was stunning, to say the least," said Grace head coach Denny Hepler. "He played the three-hole playoff perfectly, hitting every shot exactly how we wanted."
As a team, the Lancers shot a 311 on the final round, the second best total of any team on Wednesday. That moved Grace from fifth place to fourth and earned the team a NCCAA trophy for the third time in school history.
Blake Lawson shot a 75 in the final round, his best score of the week. Noah Wright finished with a 77 and Chase Byron recorded a 79. Wilburn carded an 80, while Payton Kelly shot an 81.
"We were hoping for a better finish for the team, but fourth place isn't bad," commented Hepler. "These boys are now hungry for a victory the next time around. This was a tremendous experience for this group and provided some lifetime memories."
Asbury claimed the team title with a total score of 918, followed by Cedarville University (Ohio) at 925 and Malone University (Ohio) at 931. Grace finished at 935.
Luke Delp and Noah Wright were named NCCAA Scholar-Athletes.
Grace Women’s Soccer Stays 15th In NAIA Poll
WINONA LAKE - For the fourth consecutive week, Grace’s women’s soccer team cemented itself as the No. 15 team in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.
The Lady Lancers (9-4-1) received 273 points from the national raters, which is composed of head coaches from the NAIA.
Grace has now been ranked for 30 consecutive polls. The three-year streak of rankings is the ninth-longest active streak in the NAIA.
There was little change with the other ranked teams in the conference, which include No. 4 Spring Arbor, No. 6 Marian and No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan.
The Lady Lancers are on the road today for a match at Taylor at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, Grace will host No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan for a must-watch match at 1st Source Bank Field.
Wilburn arrived at the tournament averaging 80.8 per 18 holes in nine previous rounds this fall, with a low round of 76. At Hammock Beach he shot a three-round total of 223 for a 74.3 average, including a magnificent round of 69 on the opening day. The NCCAA title actually took three extra holes, as Wilburn was tied with Marcos de Ezcurra from Asbury University (Ky.) after 54 holes. Wilburn claimed the top spot by winning a three-hole playoff and became the first individual national champion for the men's golf program.
"The performance by Parker was stunning, to say the least," said Grace head coach Denny Hepler. "He played the three-hole playoff perfectly, hitting every shot exactly how we wanted."
As a team, the Lancers shot a 311 on the final round, the second best total of any team on Wednesday. That moved Grace from fifth place to fourth and earned the team a NCCAA trophy for the third time in school history.
Blake Lawson shot a 75 in the final round, his best score of the week. Noah Wright finished with a 77 and Chase Byron recorded a 79. Wilburn carded an 80, while Payton Kelly shot an 81.
"We were hoping for a better finish for the team, but fourth place isn't bad," commented Hepler. "These boys are now hungry for a victory the next time around. This was a tremendous experience for this group and provided some lifetime memories."
Asbury claimed the team title with a total score of 918, followed by Cedarville University (Ohio) at 925 and Malone University (Ohio) at 931. Grace finished at 935.
Luke Delp and Noah Wright were named NCCAA Scholar-Athletes.
Grace Women’s Soccer Stays 15th In NAIA Poll
WINONA LAKE - For the fourth consecutive week, Grace’s women’s soccer team cemented itself as the No. 15 team in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.
The Lady Lancers (9-4-1) received 273 points from the national raters, which is composed of head coaches from the NAIA.
Grace has now been ranked for 30 consecutive polls. The three-year streak of rankings is the ninth-longest active streak in the NAIA.
There was little change with the other ranked teams in the conference, which include No. 4 Spring Arbor, No. 6 Marian and No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan.
The Lady Lancers are on the road today for a match at Taylor at 7 p.m. On Wednesday, Grace will host No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan for a must-watch match at 1st Source Bank Field.
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