Giovanni Delorenzi at the Atlantic/East Regional
Lexi Bell

Men's Golf Bob Shreve, Assistant Director of Athletics Media Relations

Golden Knights Within Striking Distance Entering Final Round at NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional

LEBANON, Pa. – The Gannon men's golf team will enter the final 18 holes at the NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional within striking distance of a third straight trip to the NCAA Division II National Championships. The Golden Knights dropped back a spot to fifth place on Friday following a 306 total at Iron Valley Golf Club in Lebanon, Pa. The top seed out of the Atlantic Region heading into the tournament, the Golden Knights had a  301 total on Thursday and have a 36-hole total of 607, good for a tie for fifth place with fellow PSAC squad Indiana (Pa.).

A total of 20 teams are competing in the regional, with the top three teams along with the top two individuals from the non-qualifying teams moving on to the NCAA Division II National Championships on May 22-26 at Avalon Lakes in Warren, Ohio.

Davis & Elkins moved from fifth to first place with an outstanding total of 292 and has a two-day total of 594, 18-over par. That's good for a four-shot lead over Le Moyne at 598 (+22). St. Thomas Aquinas and Fayetteville State are tied for third at 602 (+26).

That leaves the Golden Knights five strokes behind for the final spot to Nationals. The day could have ended much better for head coach Dustin Coleman's squad if not for an eight-over total for the final two holes.

After opening with a 3-under par 69 on Thursday, Donte Groppuso of St. Thomas Aquinas duplicated the round on Friday to take a five-shot lead over Jordan Hyland of Davis & Elkins. Groppuso is at 6-under 138 with Hyland at 143, 1-under par. Le Moyne's Tyler Birdd is third at even-par 144. Gannon's Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena) is tied for fourth at 146 (+2). Drew Semons of Saint Anselm is also at 146.

Delorenzi, a freshman who finished as the individual champion at the recent Atlantic/East Region Preview, shot his second straight 73, moving up from a tie for tenth in the process. He had a 36 on the front nine and 37 on the back, birdieing three holes – the par 4 second, par 3 12th, and par 5 16th.  

Shaunak Rama (Bryanston, South Africa) entered day two in a tie for seventh after shooting an even-par 72. The junior endured a tough stretch of holes to finish up the front nine and ended the day with an 82 for a 154 (+10) total. That is tied for 39th. He would end the front nine with a 45 but came back for a solid 37 on the back nine, with birdies on the par 4 10th and par 5 16th.

Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) improved by a stroke on Friday, shooting a 77 after an opening-round 78. His 155 (+11) total is good for a tie for 46th. Ruppert had a pair of birdies on the day, on the par 4 second hole and par 5 16th..

Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate) is tied for 55th with a two-day total of 156 (+12) after a second straight 78. He also had a pair of birdies – the par 4 first hole and par 4 sixth – and had a very solid round going until struggling on the final two holes.

Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) completes the Gannon contingent. He has a 160 (+16) total after improving four strokes for a 78 on Friday. He birdied the par 5 third hole and finished strong at one-over par over the final seven holes.

The third and final round of play is set for Saturday. Gannon will be one of the final teams teeing off, with the Golden Knights beginning at 11:50 a.m. 
 
TEAM LEADERS (20 teams total)
1. Davis & Elkins – 302-292 – 594 (+18)
2. Le Moyne – 298-300 – 598 (+22)
T3. St. Thomas Aquinas – 305-297 – 602 (+26)
T3. Fayetteville State – 305-297 – 602 (+26)
T5. GANNON – 301-306 – 607 (+31)    
T5. Indiana (Pa.) – 306-301 – 607 (+31)

INDIVIDUAL LEADERBOARD (108 total)
1. Donte Groppuso, St. Thomas Aquinas – 69-69 -- 138 (-6)
2. Jordan Hyland, Davis & Elkins – 73-70 – 143 (-1)
3. Tyler Birdd, Le Moyne – 70-74 – 144 (E)
T4. Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena), Gannon – 73-73 – 146 (+2)
T4. Drew Semons, Saint Anselm – 72-74 – 146 (+2)
 
GANNON INDIVIDUALS
T4. Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena) – 73-73 -- 146 (+2)
T39. Shaunak Rama (Bryanston, South Africa) – 72-82 -- 154 (+10)
T46. Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) – 78-77 -- 155 (+11)
T55. Abe Holmes (Barrie, Ontario/Barrie North Collegiate) – 78-78 -- 156 (+12)
T80. Ryan Ferry (Meadville, Pa./Meadville) – 82-78 -- 160 (+16)
 
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Players Mentioned

Abe Holmes

Abe Holmes

6' 3"
Senior
Business Analytics
Elijah Ruppert

Elijah Ruppert

6' 1"
Sophomore
Environmental Engineering
Giovanni Delorenzi

Giovanni Delorenzi

6' 1"
Freshman
Environmental Health Engineering
Shaunak Rama

Shaunak Rama

5' 9"
Junior
Business Administration
Ryan Ferry

Ryan Ferry

6' 0"
Junior
Finance

Players Mentioned

Abe Holmes

Abe Holmes

6' 3"
Senior
Business Analytics
Elijah Ruppert

Elijah Ruppert

6' 1"
Sophomore
Environmental Engineering
Giovanni Delorenzi

Giovanni Delorenzi

6' 1"
Freshman
Environmental Health Engineering
Shaunak Rama

Shaunak Rama

5' 9"
Junior
Business Administration
Ryan Ferry

Ryan Ferry

6' 0"
Junior
Finance