LEBANON, Pa. – The Gannon men's golf program's long wait is over – the Golden Knights are PSAC champions!
 
In winning its first PSAC title, Gannon turned in one of the most dominant performances in tournament history.
 
Gannon grabbed the lead early in Friday's first round at Iron Valley Golf Club and only increased its lead from that point before finishing with a 40-stroke victory among a nine-team field on Sunday afternoon. In addition, Gannon sophomore Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) won the individual title with a 54-hole total of 8-under-par 208, and teammate Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena) placed second with a 3-under 213 score.
 
Gannon has been one of the premier men's golf programs in the PSAC for much of the time since the University joined the conference in 2008. The Golden Knights had come close to titles several times, but the trophy had always eluded them.
 
This year, the Knights left no doubt.
 
Gannon took an 11-shot lead in the first round and expanded that margin to 26 holes through two rounds. The Knights posted the low score of the round for the third consecutive day as they finished with a 54-hole total of 9-under 855.  Pitt-Johnstown placed second at 31-over 895. Gannon's winning margin is the highest since the tournament shifted to 54 holes.
 
"We the coaching staff have been very proud of the guys all fall season, and to see all the hard work to come together this weekend is amazing. We are so proud of them," said Gannon Director of Golf Stano Stano, who is assisted by Brett Zenewicz and Connor Bennick. "The goal for the fall season was to win the PSAC Championships. That's what they wanted to do, and to accomplish that goal is awesome.  
 
"I want to thank my assistants and the guys for all the hard work throughout the fall season. It's been a grind, and the rewards have been huge. We still have one more tournament next week so we will work hard this upcoming week and enjoy this conference championship in the offseason."
 
This 2024-25 Gannon team has been dominant the entire fall. After a third-place performance in the opening tournament, Gannon has posted five consecutive tournament victories. Meanwhile, Parrini claimed his third tournament title of the season. Redshirt sophomore Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium) also won a tournament title.
 
Parrini was tied for second place after shooting a first-round 70 on Friday, and he moved into first place with another 70 in the second round. He capped his weekend with a 4-under-par 68 that included five birdies. Parrini closed the weekend with 11 birdies and an eagle.

 

MEN'S GOLF: 2024 Championship

The Gannon Golden Knight's Men's Golf Team wins their first-ever #PSACMGOLF Championship!#PSACProud pic.twitter.com/uakZz4L8Jz

— PSAC Sports (@PSACsports) October 20, 2024

 
"Wow, what a fall season for Mattia," Stano said. "He has been rock solid in all aspects of his game. He has worked hard, and these three days showed he's one of the best. I'm glad he's on our team."
 
Delorenzi, a junior, placed third in the PSAC Championships in 2023, and he moved up one spot in 2024. He shot 1-under par 70 on Sunday to finish with a 3-under total. He had three birdies on Sunday.
 
Two other Gannon golfers had top-10 finishes in the 45-player field. Senior Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) placed sixth at 4-over-par 220, while Seppanen finished ninth at 8-over 224. Seppanen closed the tournament with a round of 2-under 70. Gannon senior Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) placed 15th with a 229.
 
"I am really proud how everyone competed. We were fighting a little bit of a cold bug with a few players to start the tournament. Everyone kept fighting and battling," Stano said. "They set out a goal to play smart and to clean up some mistakes from the day before and they accomplished those goals."
 

Team Standings
(Round 1 of 3)
1. Gannon 278-293-284—855  -9
2. Pitt-Johnstown 304-298-293—895 +31
3. Millersville 289-308-303—900  +36
4. IUP 310-297-295—902  +38
5. California 311-301-302—914  +50
6. Shepherd 311-294-316—921  +57
7. West Chester 308-315-312—935  +71
8. Bloomsburg 327-311-318—956 +92
9. Clarion 340-332-340—1012  +148
 
Top-10 finishers
(45-golfer field)
1. Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo), Gannon 70-70-68—208  -8
2. Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena), Gannon 70-72-71—213  -3
3. Timothy Peters, Millersville 70-74-71—215  -1
3. Trey Rios, Shepherd 73-69-73—215  -1
5. Lucas Smith, Pitt-Johnstown 78-69-71—218 +2
6. Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights), Gannon 70-75-75—220  +4
7. Ben DeCastro, IUP 75-74-72—221  +5
8. Chaz Ekoniak, Cal  77-73-71—221  +5
9. Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium), Gannon 78-76-70—224   +8
8. John Olsen, IUP 74-70-80—224  +8
 
Gannon scores
1. Mattia Parrini (Verolengo, Italy/Verolengo) 70-70-68—208  -8
2. Giovanni Delorenzi (Reggio Emilia, Italy/International School of Modena) 70-72-71—213  -3
6. Elijah Ruppert (Fleetwood, Pa./Brandywine Heights) 70-75-75—220  +4
9. Rasmus Seppanen (Bastad, Sweden/Akademi Bastad Gymnasium) 78-76-70—224   +8
15. Michael Wareham (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional), Gannon 68-77-82-229  +13