Spiders Finish Seventh At River Run Collegiate

Tuesday, September 25

Davidson, N.C.

8:00 AM

University of Richmond

18 HOLES

09/25/2018 | Men's Golf

Results

DAVIDSON, N.C. -- It's one week later than expected, but the 2018-19 season for Richmond men's golf team is officially underway. One week after severe weather led to the cancellation of VCU's Janney Invitational after no more than a few holes, the Spiders finally have a result on the board after finishing seventh at the River Run Collegiate in Davidson, N.C. Tuesday.

Senior Ben Wanichek -- the only senior on the Spiders roster -- led the team with a three-round total of 216 (even par), finishing in a tie for 10^th on the individual leaderboard. Wanichek's 54-hole score was the lowest of his collegiate career and earned him his third career top-10 finish and first since the 2016 A-10 Championship, when he finished in a tie for seventh.

"I was really proud of how Ben [Wanichek] stepped up," said coach Adam Decker. "He's our senior leader, so that was really neat for him to step up right out of the gate."

"I'm very proud to serve as a leader on this team and I think that inherently helped me play a little bit better," said Wanichek. "I feel that you can only lead so much with words. Actions and results speak louder."

Wanichek birdied three of his first four holes on Tuesday and secured his third straight round of 72 with a birdie on the par-five 18^th hole. Wanichek said the one-week delay in starting his senior season made him even more motivated for the River Run Collegiate. "We've been practicing hard over the past month so I think the team was pretty hungry to get out here and compete and it showed in some of the scores," said Wanichek.

Sophomore Michael Baker also had the best performance of his collegiate career in Davidson, shooting rounds of 72, 73, and 74 to finish tied for 17^th at 219 (+3), his first career top-20 finish.

A pair of Spiders freshmen made their collegiate debuts in the event. Jordan Secret finished tied for 51^st at 231 (+15) after firing a round of 74 on Tuesday. Michael Childress was tied for 56^th at 233 (+17) after shooting rounds of 82, 75, and 76.

"I see a ton of potential out of this group," said coach Adam Decker. "There's definitely a lot we can work on when we get back home to continue to get even better."

The Spiders will return to action on October 15-16 at the AutoTrader Collegiate from Berkeley Hills Country Club in Duluth, Ga.