Second Straight Victory for VWC Sophomore
FRONT ROYAL, Va. --- Success continued for Virginia Wesleyan College men's golf in its second tournament of the season, led by sophomore Evan Cox securing his second straight tournament victory. But the Marlins upped the ante at the Shenandoah Fall Invitational, winning the team title by seven strokes over NCAA Division II competitor Shepherd University.
VWC was one of seven ODAC schools in action at the two-course tournament. The Marlins opened with a 305 on the 6,807-yard par-72 layout at the Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club. They followed up with a 293 on the shorter 6,374-yard par-71 track at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club. The 26-over 598 team total marked VWC's second straight sub-600 score, marking the first time the program has had two such performances in one athletic year.
Bridgewater College was next in the line for the ODAC's contingent, placing fourth among 13 teams at 616 (320-296). Roanoke College took home fifth at 624 (332-292), while host Shenandoah University tied for sixth at 626 (325-301). Lynchburg College was just three shots back of its mascot counterparts at 629 (324-305), while Randolph-Macon College placed 11th at 639 (329-310). Eastern Mennonite University finished 12th at 685 (357-328).
Cox, a sophomore from Ashland, Ky., fired a 1-under 71 in the first round at Blue Ridge Shadows followed by an even-par 71 at the Shenandoah Valley C.C. on the way to his second straight individual medal. He currently leads the ODAC with a 69.8 per-round average after four rounds of action.
Seven other golfers joined Cox in the top-10. Roanoke's William Brown (81-67) and Bridgewater's Elijah Tackett (77-71) tied for fourth at 5-over 148. Brown's second-round 67 was the low-round of the tournament. VWC's Caleb Martin (80-70) captured sixth place at 7-over 150. Four ODAC athletes tied for eighth at 9-over 152. That group includes Bridgewater's Ocean Armstrong (81-71), Roanoke's Andrew Butts (80-72), Shenandoah's Evan Cocke (77-75) and Randolph-Macon's Trey Razzetti (81-71).
For more information on ODAC men's golf, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow @odacathletics on Twitter.