EWC golf team finishes 13th at national tournament

2018-2019 EWC Lancer team finishes 13th at Nationals. Team members (left to right, back): RJ Moya, Mason Hale, Gonzalo Arcelay, Coach Zach Smith. Front (left to right): Harry Walch, George Elliott
2018-2019 EWC Lancer team finishes 13th at Nationals. Team members (left to right, back): RJ Moya, Mason Hale, Gonzalo Arcelay, Coach Zach Smith. Front (left to right): Harry Walch, George Elliott

The Eastern Wyoming College Lancer Golf team competed at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I championship held in Melbourne, FL, May 14-17. The Lancers competed in a field of 24 teams and finished the tournament in 13th place, the programs best national finish in its history. The total team score for the four round tournament for the Lancers was 1183. Central Alabama Community College won the tournament with an 1116.

"I'm really happy with how they finished," said Coach Zach Smith. "We had a great first round and then a few ups and downs but ultimately to finish 13th in the nation was a special year for us."

Harry Walch finished tied for 27th place with scores of 73, 74, 73, 69 – 289. Other Lancer scores were as follows:

Gonzalo Arcelay, tied 46th, 72, 74, 75, 75 – 296
RJ Moya, tied 75th, 71, 78, 72, 82 – 303
George Elliott, tied 75th, 73, 72, 75, 83 – 303
Mason Hale, tied 96th, 80, 82, 74, 76 – 312

Players returning to EWC to fill the 2019-2020 roster include Moya, Hale, Eric Stevens, and Colby Clay.

Coach Smith added, "I already miss the sophomores but am really excited for next year."

Sophomores transferring on to continue their golf career include Arcelay – Wingate University, Elliott – Southeastern Oklahoma, Walch – West Texas A&M, and Kash Kaufman – Minot State University.