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For Immediate Release
May 18, 2006
2005-06 Spring Season Wrap-up
The men’s golf squad made history in 2006
as it claimed NWU’s first ever team national championship
in any sport. The Prairie Wolves also picked up their third consecutive
GPAC title and 10th league crown in 12 years under Head Coach Brett
Balak.
Nebraska Wesleyan finished no lower than fourth
in any of its spring tournaments. Sophomore Tyler Lawson won the
individual title at the NWU Spring Invitational on April 7 and was
also honored as the GPAC Golfer of the Week for leading Nebraska
Wesleyan to the team title. The Prairie Wolves also won the Buena
Vista University Invitational in mid-April.
On April 25, senior Jeff Holm tied for first at
the GPAC Championships, but was edged out in a playoff for top individual
honors. Holm, Lawson, senior Travis Davis, junior Aaron Stockton
and senior Jon Deines each made the All-Conference Team for their
efforts.
NWU hosted the NCAA Division III Championships at
Firethorn Golf Club and after posting an opening-round 309, the
team improved by 20 strokes on day two to close the gap on defending
national champion Guilford College. Nebraska Wesleyan then took
a four-shot lead heading into the final round after firing a third-round
292. The Prairie Wolves conquered strong winds on the tournament’s
final day and shot 303, en route to the national crown, which NWU
won by 10 strokes over runner-up University of Redlands.
Deines and Stockton paved the way as they both tied
for fifth individually (298), while Davis, Holm and Lawson (303)
tied for 16th. All five players earned PING All-America status;
Deines and Stockton also made the PING All-Central Region Team.
Balak was honored with the Eaton/Golf Pride National
Coach of the Year Award for Division III and was later recognized
as the Omaha World-Herald Midlands Men’s College Coach of
the Year. As a team, NWU finished the year ranked No. 1 in the GCAA/Bridgestone
Div. III Coaches Poll.
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