LEBANON, Pa. – Gannon senior
Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) shot a 4-under-par 68 to take a two-shot lead as the Gannon men's golf team finished the first round of the PSAC Championships with a 10-under-par score on Friday to take an 11-shot lead.
Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo),
Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena), and
Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) were tied for second after shooting 2-under 70s at Iron Valley Golf Club as Gannon finished with a 10-under 278 total for an 11-stroke advantage over defending champion Millersville. The 11-shot lead is the biggest first-round lead for a team in the PSAC Championships in the past 15 years.
No other team was within 25 strokes of Gannon after the first day of the three-day, 54-hole tournament. Pitt-Johnstown finished the round third at 16-over par. Gannon is seeking its first PSAC team championship since joining the PSAC in 2008.
Wareham had an outstanding day. He had two birdies on the front nine on the way to a 2-under 34. He added three birdies while carding a 34 on the back nine. He holds a two-shot lead over his three teammates and Millersville's Timothy Peters.
Delorenzi, a junior, and Ruppert, a senior, both had five birdies in their rounds while tying for second place through the first round. Parrino also shot 70, thanks to an eagle and three birdies. He had a 3-under 33 on the front nine.
Redshirt sophomore
Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium) rounded out the Gannon lineup with a 6-over-par 78.
Gannon entered the tournament having won four consecutive tournaments. The Knights also have three individual titles in those tournaments with Parrini winning twice and Seppanen taking medalist honors once.
Gannon will look to maintain or build its lead in the second round on Saturday. The Knights are scheduled to begin teeing off at 11:40 a.m.
Team Standings
(Round 1 of 3)
1. Gannon 278 -10
2. Millersville 289 +1
3. Pitt-Johnstown 304 +16
4. West Chester 308 +20
5. IUP 310 +22
6. California 311 +23
6. Shepherd 311 +23
8. Bloomsburg 327 +39
9. Clarion 340 +52
Top five players
(45-golfer field)
1. Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional), Gannon 68 -4
2. Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo), Gannon 70 -2
2. Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena), Gannon 70 -2
2. Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights), Gannon 70 -2
2. Timothy Peters, Millersville 70 -2
Gannon scores
1.
Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) 68 -4
2.
Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) 70 -2
2.
Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena) 70 -2
2.
Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) 70 -2
24.
Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium) 78 +6
