Tuesday, May 17
Denver, Colo.
7:00 AM
California Baptist University
vs
NCAA Division II Championships
Lancers Gear Up for Nationals
5/17/2016 7:00:00 AM | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
DENVER, Colo. – For the first time in its three-year history, California Baptist University will have representatives at both the NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Golf Championships this week.
Erica Wang extended her phenomenal freshman season by advancing out of the Division II Regional round, while the Lancers entire men's team qualified for nationals with a fourth-place finish at regionals.
The medal-match play for the men will run Tuesday through Saturday at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, while the women will go Wednesday to Saturday at the CommonGround Golf Course, with both tournaments being hosted by Metro State University.
CBU is one of 20 teams that still have hopes of winning the men's national championship, which will host 108 golfers. Wang is one of 72 participants who will compete at the final women's tournament of the year.
"We feel like we are playing our best golf of the season right now, and this is the time to do it," Coach John Hackney said. "Our goal all season has just been to get better and better, and we have done that. These guys are really playing with a lot of patience and confidence right now, and it has led to some excellent results."
After a win at the CBU Men's Invitational, the Lancers have been peaking at the right time, with top-four finishes in its final four tournaments heading into the Division II Championships. The program's first tournament win since it became a fully-fledged member of the NCAA back on March 22nd has driven it to greatness, with consecutive fourth-place performances at the PacWest Championships and Regional Tournament.
Balance has been key for CBU all season, and it continued into regionals. All-conference and all-tournament selections in the PacWest, Kavan Eubank and Greg Gonzalez, led the Lancers with respective 18-hole scoring averages of 72.56 and 73.34. Eubank finished third individually at regionals, with a 210 (71-70-69), while Gonzalez took 12th (213, 74-72-67).
All five Lancers are capable of going low at any point, with the other three golfers averaging 76 or better. The trio of Chris Carew (75.34), Christian Sanders (75.50) and Tai Kuida (76) all shot 80 or better in each round at regionals, while shooting 73 or better on one occasion, as well.
"No matter what sport you play, you just want to get to the big dance," Hackney said. "We made the NCAAs, but we were not satisfied with that. We wanted the opportunity to play for the National Championship, which is what we will do this week. Once you get there, anything can happen, and I really like this group of young men. I know they will represent CBU with class."
For the second time in three years, CBU has an individual at the Division II Women's Championship. Tina Yang advanced to nationals and took 10th place individually back in 2014, and now Wang will look to build an already impressive career in her debut season.
Out of 10 tournaments, Wang has eight individual top-20 finishes, six in the top-10 and has been top-four on the leaderboard on five occasions. Her standout performance came when she won her first tournament on a one-hole playoff at the PacWest Championships (224), which she followed up with a third-place performance at the Super Region IV Tournament (216) that qualified her for nationals.
"Erica has had a splendid freshman season," Hackney said. "She started off the year by setting the school single-day scoring record in September and has been on fire of late, winning the PacWest individual title and finishing third at the NCAA Regionals."
The Corona, Calif., native has averaged a 74.95 over 22 rounds, with a low and program record 67 in her first collegiate tournament. Overall, Wang has five rounds of par or better.
"She is just a fine young lady with a great spirit and attitude," Hackney said. "She is very positive on and off the course, and when you combine that with her talent, that is a deadly combination."
Erica Wang extended her phenomenal freshman season by advancing out of the Division II Regional round, while the Lancers entire men's team qualified for nationals with a fourth-place finish at regionals.
The medal-match play for the men will run Tuesday through Saturday at the Green Valley Ranch Golf Club, while the women will go Wednesday to Saturday at the CommonGround Golf Course, with both tournaments being hosted by Metro State University.
CBU is one of 20 teams that still have hopes of winning the men's national championship, which will host 108 golfers. Wang is one of 72 participants who will compete at the final women's tournament of the year.
"We feel like we are playing our best golf of the season right now, and this is the time to do it," Coach John Hackney said. "Our goal all season has just been to get better and better, and we have done that. These guys are really playing with a lot of patience and confidence right now, and it has led to some excellent results."
After a win at the CBU Men's Invitational, the Lancers have been peaking at the right time, with top-four finishes in its final four tournaments heading into the Division II Championships. The program's first tournament win since it became a fully-fledged member of the NCAA back on March 22nd has driven it to greatness, with consecutive fourth-place performances at the PacWest Championships and Regional Tournament.
Balance has been key for CBU all season, and it continued into regionals. All-conference and all-tournament selections in the PacWest, Kavan Eubank and Greg Gonzalez, led the Lancers with respective 18-hole scoring averages of 72.56 and 73.34. Eubank finished third individually at regionals, with a 210 (71-70-69), while Gonzalez took 12th (213, 74-72-67).
All five Lancers are capable of going low at any point, with the other three golfers averaging 76 or better. The trio of Chris Carew (75.34), Christian Sanders (75.50) and Tai Kuida (76) all shot 80 or better in each round at regionals, while shooting 73 or better on one occasion, as well.
"No matter what sport you play, you just want to get to the big dance," Hackney said. "We made the NCAAs, but we were not satisfied with that. We wanted the opportunity to play for the National Championship, which is what we will do this week. Once you get there, anything can happen, and I really like this group of young men. I know they will represent CBU with class."
For the second time in three years, CBU has an individual at the Division II Women's Championship. Tina Yang advanced to nationals and took 10th place individually back in 2014, and now Wang will look to build an already impressive career in her debut season.
Out of 10 tournaments, Wang has eight individual top-20 finishes, six in the top-10 and has been top-four on the leaderboard on five occasions. Her standout performance came when she won her first tournament on a one-hole playoff at the PacWest Championships (224), which she followed up with a third-place performance at the Super Region IV Tournament (216) that qualified her for nationals.
"Erica has had a splendid freshman season," Hackney said. "She started off the year by setting the school single-day scoring record in September and has been on fire of late, winning the PacWest individual title and finishing third at the NCAA Regionals."
The Corona, Calif., native has averaged a 74.95 over 22 rounds, with a low and program record 67 in her first collegiate tournament. Overall, Wang has five rounds of par or better.
"She is just a fine young lady with a great spirit and attitude," Hackney said. "She is very positive on and off the course, and when you combine that with her talent, that is a deadly combination."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Golf
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/ Men's Golf
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/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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