Eastern Wayne Today

Wayne State University men's golf team secured their first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Championship since 2003. The third-seeded Warriors defeated fourth-seeded Saginaw Valley State with a 4-1 win in the Medal Match Play finals held in Battle Creek, Michigan. The team was led by two graduate students and three seniors.

Attributing their success to teamwork, head coach Mike Horn commented, "I'm basically in awe of what the boys did the last two rounds. This was nearly 22 years in the making, and honestly couldn't imagine it being any sweeter than it is."

The team members won their head-to-head matches convincingly. Max Leppelmeier from Ohio, Ian Smith from Michigan, Luc Warnock from Ontario, and Tyler Hurtubise from Ontario won by at least three strokes each. Josh DiCarlo, the team's sixth-year captain, narrowly lost to his opponent from Saginaw Valley State.

Reflecting on the team's victory, DiCarlo said, "Words can't even explain how much this means to this team and myself. To finally be able to say we are conference champions six years later is the best feeling in the world."

The team now looks forward to the NCAA Tournament, with the NCAA Selection Show set for April 25. Wayne State ranks third in the Midwest Region, trailing Grand Valley State. The selection process will determine which teams and individuals will advance to regional and potentially national competitions.