HARTFORD - The Carthage College men's golf team snagged second place among a strong field of 15 teams at the WLC Fall Inviational, carding rounds as a team of 287 and 307 for a total score of 594 (+19). James Trachsel took the crown individually out of 86 golfers, carding rounds of 70 and 73 for a total score of 143. 



Trachsel led the Firebirds, carding rounds of 70 and 73 for a total score of 143 and taking the crown. Dallas Torres tied for 17th place, scoring 151 and carding rounds of 74 and 77. Ethan Frasch carded rounds of 75 and 78 (153) for a tie at 24th place. Also tying at 24th place, Nick Barry scored 153 with rounds of 68 and 85. Joey Luna rounded out the Firebirds, tying at 30th place with rounds of 75 and 79 (154).

The Firebirds had three birds compete individually. Brett Vandergrift carded rounds of 69 and 77 for a total score of 146, tying for fourth place. Alek Lechuga tied for 17th place, scoring 151 and carding rounds of 76 and 75. Ryan Jermier carded rounds of 80 and 77 for a total score of 157, tying for 42nd place. 



"It was a tale of two days, said head coach Jay Christiansen." "On day 1, we played sharp, we played with confidence, we showed how hard we have been working, and we finished the day with a nice lead. On day 2, we come out a bit tight, the wind picks up, we make a few early mistakes, we caught a few bad breaks, and with much tougher pin placements, we have a bad day on the green. Before you know it, we were behind by 4 strokes and scramble like crazy down the stretch to try to get the lead back. Unfortunately, we end up losing by one stroke."


"It was great to see James Trachsel earn the medalist honors. Trax has the complete game to go with some natural talent, and after a few years away from the game, he is starting to re-find his swagger."


"Brett Vandergrift coming in 5th out of 86 players was also a treat. Brett has a ton of talent, hits it a mile, and if he can make some putts, he can be really good. On Saturday he was really good, and on Sunday he hit it just as well, but his putter held him back just a bit."


"Nick Barry, one of our junior captains, was crazy good on Saturday and shot his college personal best with that 4 under par round of 68, putting him in the individual lead. It is hard to sit on the lead after shooting a personal best, and a couple tough luck breaks right off the bat got him headed sideways on Sunday, but I still really enjoyed watching him grind without his best game. Because of his work ethic, his game just continues to get better and better."




The Firebirds will be back in action on Friday, September 19, at the Midwest Classic hosted by Benedictine. For more information, visit our athletics.carthage.edu.