Rally Falls Just Short as Tigers Finish Second in NCAC Championships

WARREN, OH - A challenging opening round played in inclement weather conditions created too big a hole for the Wittenberg Tigers, who carded the best rounds on the second and third days of the 2026 North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Men's Golf Championships but couldn't quite dig all the way out. As a result, an impressive rally ended up just short for the Tigers as they finished second in the final standings, four strokes behind the host team, John Carroll.

The Blue Streaks, competing in the NCAC Championships for the first time, punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III Tournament with a four-stroke victory over Wittenberg, the defending NCAC titlist. John Carroll was very consistent with rounds of 299, 299, and 300 to finish at 34-over-par 898. The Tigers started the tournament in fourth place with a disappointing 314 in the opening round, which was played in light rain and cold temperatures, but then turned in the best two rounds of any team with back-to-back 294s to finish with a 902.

Nationally ranked Kenyon finished third at 904 after going into the final hole tied with Wittenberg. DePauw rounded out the top four in the competition at 920.

Senior Mark Sulek (Delaware, OH / Hayes) saved his best for last in an oustanding collegiate career, shooting rounds of 79, 72, 72 to finish in a fourth-place tie at 223 total. The top five individual finishers all received NCAC All-Tournament Team honors.

Griffin Turner (Enon, OH / Greenon) followed in sixth place with a three-round total of 225, and Mikey Schutte (Cincinnati, OH / Elder) was right behind with a score of 226 to place seventh. Alex Rath (Dublin, OH / Scioto) finished 11th with a score of 229 and Mitch Bolte (Newark, OH / Catholic) rounded out the Wittenberg competitors with a 239, good for 28th.

The NCAA Division III Tournament field will be announced on Monday, May 4.

Written By: Ryan Maurer