Somerset, NJ – With the Northeast Conference Men’s Championship Golf set to begin tomorrow in Orlando, FL. we present a team-by-team breakdown of this year’s eleven-team field. The tournament runs from Friday May 4 through May 6. For all the latest updates be sure to check NEC Men’s Golf Tournament Headquarters on the NEC’s website or follow us on Twitter at @NECMGolf.
Bryant: Although the Bulldogs cannot contend for the championship trophy until next year, they will participate this year as individual. Bryant sports a solid line-up which features NEC Golfer of the Week honoree Spencer Sweitzer (Luneburg, MA). The senior took top-honors in March at the Hurricane Fusillade Challenge, where he carded the tournament’s best score (69) to help the Bulldogs to a second place overall finish.
Central Connecticut: The Blue Devils were picked to finish second in this spring’s pre-season poll and are led by senior Kevin Josephson (Berlin, CT/Rhode Island), a 2011 second team All-Conference honoree, who has four top-10 finishes on the season and boasts a 74.1 average. Daniel Morgan (Mullumbimby, Australia/Mullumbimby)brings two top-10 finishes to the table, while junior and Dan Fanion (Westfield, MA/Westfield), earned NEC Golfer of the Week honors this spring. Fanion earned a top-10 finish at the New England Championship, helping Central to a first place team overall.
Fairleigh Dickinson: The Knights will look to the most recent NEC Golfer of the Week honoree Thomas Barnes (Oradell, NJ/River Dell) to lead the way, after the freshman inked a 72 at the Peacock Invitational to finish in a tie for second, helping FDU to a third place finish at the tournament. Fellow freshman Connor Hamilton (Burnham, England), also earned conference Golfer of the Week honors this season after leading all league competitors at the Towson Fireline Invitational, where he finished in seventh overall (70-76-71).
LIU Brooklyn: Freshman Obe Ayton (Liphook, England/Godalming Col.) will be leading the charge for the Blackbirds after a stellar freshman campaign in which he recorded multiple top-team finishes. Most recently Ayton carded scores of 74-76 at the Navy Invitational to finish ninth overall. Junior Josh Waters (London, England/St. Dunstan’s) enters the tournament firing on all cylinders after finishing second on the team in LIU’s last two tournaments.
Monmouth: The Hawks are led by Ian Trimble (Hyde Park, MA/Boston College H.S), who boasts a team best 75.4 average. The junior most recently placed fifth at the Monmouth quad match, while he he captured first at the Fairleigh Dickinson Invitational in the fall. The Massachusetts native also posted a season-low 68 at the Monmouth quad match. Freshman Brady Goodling (Manheim, PA/Manheim Central) will also look to contributor after a solid ninth place finish at the recent Monmouth Quad.
Mount St. Mary’s: Pacing the Mountaineers will be recent NEC Golfer of the Week Honoree Ryan Triller (Pylesville, MD/North Harford). The freshman paced the NEC at the Mount St. Mary’s Invitational after recording scores of 72-72-76, to place second overall. Triller has averaged a 74.1 this season with a 70 being his low-round score. While sophomore Devin O’Grady (Lancaster, PA/Manheim Township) has collected three top-10 finishes this year, two of which were top-five.
Robert Morris: The Colonials are led by junior Brock Pompeani (Aliquippa, PA/Hopewell) who has averaged a 74.6 this season. The PA native posted his best finish at the LIU Lonnie Barton Invitational where he took third overall. He most recently recorded a season-low 69 at the Mount St. Mary’s Invitational, while teammate Ryan Prokay (Grove City, PA/Grove City), tied for third place overall at the same tournament, where he also tallied a season-low 69.
Sacred Heart: The reigning champion Pioneers will look to make it two in a row with last year’s NEC Coach of the Year Matt McGreevy at the helm. Junior Joshua Salah (Gloucester, MA/Gloucester) enters tournament weekend with a team best 73.0 average. The Gloucester, MA native earned Golfer of the Month honors in September and inked a team best 67 at the UCONN Invitational in the fall. Most recently he took home top honors at the Rhody Invitational. Salah is flanked by senior Joseph Serrantino (Cromwell, CT/Xavier HS), who has averaged 74.0 on the year, along with Leo Garcia (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico/Colegio Marista), the 2009 NEC Rookie of the Year, who is averaging a 75.9.
St. Francis (NY): Zachary Chyz (Las Vegas, NV/Centennial) has paced the Terriers for the majority of the season and most recently carded a 79 at the Monmouth quad, while senior David Smith (Chesapeake, VA/Hickory High School) has also been solid.
Saint Francis (PA): Looking to reclaim the title they earned in 2010, the Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash will rely on senior Jeremy Foran (London, Ontario/Fanshawe College). The Ontario native collected 2012 NEC Golfer of the Week honors after he tied for first at the Lafayette Invitational. The senior also recorded top-10 finishes at the Leo Keenan Invite, Fossum Invitational and a top-five finish at the Quaker Invitational. Kevin Fawcett (London, Ontario/Oakridge Secondary) is also no stranger to the top of the leader board after he took home first at the MAC invitational in the fall.
Wagner: Steve Nakajima (Delta British Columbia/Delta Secondary School) will lead the Seahawks in Daytona after a solid season which recently featured a fourth place individual finish at the Saint Peter’s Invitational.