Jacksonville, N.C. - N.C. Wesleyan's golf team turned heads in the USA South this past weekend with an impressive showing at the highly-competitive Camp Lejeune Intercollegiate. The Battling Bishops recorded an 8th-place finish among 32 teams, which included finishing ahead of league foes Greensboro, Averett and Ferrum. Junior Lucas Norman led the way with rounds of 77 and 69 to earn a spot in the top-25.

Wesleyan started strong on Friday with a team score of 300, which placed the Bishops second overall heading into day two. Junior Chris Freeman was one of four NCWC players to card a round of 77 or below on the day, which allowed the team to forge a three-stroke lead over perennial powerhouse Methodist University.

Day two saw the Bishops again perform well, this time being led by Norman's career-low 69. Fellow junior Stephen Bardswick added a 73, while sophomore Tommy Nakamura carded a second straight 74. Senior Allen-Michael Wilson added a tourney-best 75 to help NCWC finish with a team score of 291 on the day.

"I could not be more pleased with how we performed," said NCWC head coach Gregg Ripke. "The thing I'm most proud of is the way our guys came together with such close scores." 

For the second straight year, Oglethorpe University took top honors, with OU's Anthony Maccaglia carding rounds of 75 and 63 to earn medalist recognition. Methodist managed a tie for second after shooting a 274 in round two, which placed them just 14 strokes ahead of the Bishops. Round three was cancelled due to rain.

Ripke added, "This is our most prestigious and competitive event outside of our conference tournament. We finished 13 spots higher this year than we did last year, and I'm hoping this performance will give us momentum and confidence heading into next week's USA South Spring Festival."