MEN’S TENNIS
The W&J men’s tennis team made history in 2019. The Presidents finished with a program-best 15 wins as they claimed their first Presidents’ Athletic Conference title since 1969. By virtue of winning the league crown, the Presidents qualified for their first berth into the NCAA Division III Championships in school history.
The Presidents were dominant throughout the season, registering a 7-0 regular season record in conference play before topping Thiel (quarterfinals), Bethany (semifinals) and Grove City (championship match) by a combined 15-1 score in the PAC Tournament. By tournament’s end, W&J had pushed its record to 10-0 against conference competition.
W&J fell 5-0 to nationally ranked Johns Hopkins University in the NCAA Tournament’s First Round May 10 to bring the season to a close.
For his efforts helping W&J secure the championship, Nate Wang ’21 was crowned PAC Men’s Tennis Player of the Year. Eighth-year head coach Chris Faulk ’10 was named PAC Coach of the Year.
Five Presidents were recognized on the All-PAC Teams. In addition to being selected as the league’s Player of the Year, Wang was named a First Teamer at both No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. Sam Bellini ’21 also made First Team at No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles. Stephen Mehlbaum ’20 made Second Team at singles and doubles, while Max Perilstein ’19 earned Second Team doubles and Honorable Mention singles honors along with teammate Josh Hnat ’19.
MEN’S GOLF
The W&J men’s golf team secured a 16-stroke victory with a 54-hole score of 930 to earn the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championship for the Red and Black in late April.
W&J placed four golfers among the Top 12 finishers as the Presidents claimed their second straight conference title and 19th conference title overall.
Leading the charge was Jake Darr ’20, who carded a three-round total of 228 to finish as the event’s runner-up. Darr finished just two shots out of first place.
Garrett Barilar ’21 was just a stroke behind Darr, as the sophomore produced a strong third place finish with a three-round total of 229.
Casey O’Korn ’19 placed eighth with a 54-hole score of 239. Daniel Velasco ’20 logged a 12th place finish, with a three-round score of 243.
Following the conclusion of the PAC Championship, W&J head coach Matt Kluck was named PAC Men’s Golf Coach of the Year.
The Presidents concluded the 2018-19 season by finishing in a tie for 30th place at the 2019 NCAA Division III Championships, hosted at the Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Ky. W&J’s highest finisher at the event was Darr in a tie for 78th place with a final score of 155.
