COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa – The Nebraska Wesleyan University men's golf team demonstrated resilience and improvement throughout the Bent Tree Invitational, hosted by Iowa Western Community College on September 22-23. The Prairie Wolves posted a three-round total of 59-over-par (923), with scores of 314 (+26), 311 (+23), and 298 (+10), to secure a seventh-place finish in the nine-team field. The strong final round on Tuesday helped NWU climb one spot in the standings after entering the day in eighth position.
Coming off their victory at the Midwest Region Classic, the Prairie Wolves faced stiff competition at Bent Tree Golf Course, including tournament champion Hutchinson Community College, who finished at 17-over-par. The Blue Dragons, currently ranked No. 3 in the NJCAA Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll, demonstrated why they're among the nation's elite programs.
The highlight of the tournament for Nebraska Wesleyan came from sophomore Jaiden Ronke, who competed as an individual. Ronke secured the best finish of his collegiate career, placing 11th overall at 7-over-par for the tournament. His final-round 70 (-2) was particularly impressive, featuring four birdies and just two bogeys on the challenging Bent Tree layout.
Sophomore Jacob Cosimano and junior Harrison Weddell tied for 27th place at 14-over-par. Cosimano showed steady improvement throughout the tournament, posting rounds of 82, 75, and 73. Weddell, fresh off his individual victory at the Midwest Region Classic, carded rounds of 77, 78, and 75.
Rounding out the Prairie Wolves lineup were Jackson Lapour (T-42nd), Travis Tilford (T-42nd), and Brayden Schram (46th). Tilford's tournament was highlighted by an outstanding bogey-free front nine during his first-round 73 (+1), the team's lowest score on day one. Matias Casal, competing as an individual alongside Ronke, finished 38th at 19-over-par for the tournament.
The Prairie Wolves demonstrated their resilience by shaving 13 strokes off their second-round score in Tuesday's final round. The team's 298 total was the fourth-best score of the day among all competing teams.
The Prairie Wolves will enjoy a week off from competition before embarking on a challenging road stretch featuring back-to-back tournaments. NWU will first travel to the Twin Cities Classic in Minnesota (October 4-6), followed immediately by The Nebraska Intercollegiate in Fremont, Nebraska (October 6-7).
