WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Both the Lewis-Clark State College Men’s and Women’s Golf teams, along with senior Carlos Davila and junior Deana Caruso, came away victorious at the Walla Walla University Wine Valley Invitational, which wrapped up Tuesday at Wine Valley Golf Course.
The Warriors captured both the men’s and women’s team titles, while Davila and Caruso put together solid rounds to rally and claim the individual crowns and give LC State a sweep of the tournament titles.
This is the first victory this season for the Warrior women, and third for the No. 16 LC State men. Caruso’s win is the first of her career, and Davila earned medalist honors for the third time during his tenure as a Warrior.
The LC State men continued their hot play with a 285, the second-best round of the tournament after shooting a 280 on Monday, to claim the title by 23 strokes. LC State finished at 861 while Multnomah was second at 884.
The women’s race was tighter as the Warriors recorded a 323 on Tuesday for a 653 total. Corban also shot a 323 and finished two shots back at 655.
The Warrior women had the two best scores on Tuesday as only four players were able to break 80. Caruso, who is from nearby Pomeroy, Wash., shaved five strokes off her round from Monday with a season-best 76 to capture the title by one shot over a pair of Corban golfers. Teammate Kyla Currie recorded the best round of the day with a season-best 75, which was nine shots better than Monday.
“It’s great for the women to get their first win of the year,” LC coach Brady Campbell said. “It’s nice to have some momentum going into the last regular-season conference event in two weeks. I’m very proud of how they played this week. Deana getting her first collegiate win is amazing and I’m so happy for her and the strides she has made this year.”
On the men’s side, Davila trailed by one shot entering the day but tied for the low round on Tuesday, shooting a 2-under-par 70. That helped him overtake Montana Tech’s Sean Ramsbacher by a shot for the title.
“I’m very happy for Carlos getting a win,” Campbell said. “He hasn’t had the year he has wanted to and it was great to see him break through and win again.”
Devon Caruso recorded a 1-under 71 for his best round of the spring, while teammates Jorgen Lie Viken, Kristof Panke and Sondre Andresen all matched par with 72s. Viken wound up fourth overall, three shots behind Davila, while Panke was fifth. Andresen and Caruso tied for seventh.
“The men continued to show they are a top team in the conference and the nation,” Campbell said. Having nobody shoot over par over the last 36 holes is great and shows we can compete with anyone.”
This is the final non-conference tournament scheduled for the Warriors. LC will take part in the final Cascade Conference tournament on April 11-12 in Salem, Ore., at the Corban Invitational, and then has the conference championship on April 25-26 in Klamath Falls, Ore.
MEN
Team – 1, Lewis-Clark State 285-861. 2, Multnomah 292-884. 3, Montana Tech 295-887. 4, Bushnell 297-888. 5, Walla Walla U. 288-906, 6, Corban 314-939. 7, Puget Sound 319-950. 8, Columbia Basin CC 3321-971,
Medalist – Carlos Davila, LC State, 70-212.
LC State – 4, Jorgen Lie Viken 72-215, 5, Kristof Panke 72-216. T7, Sondre Andresen 72-221 and Devon Caruso 71-221.
WOMEN
Team – 1, Lewis-Clark State 323-653. 2, Corban 323-655. 3, Whitworth 339=674. 4, Montana Tech 355-698. 4, Columbia Basin CC 351-704. 6, Bushnell 365-728. 7, Puget Sound 405-827.
Medalist – Deana Caruso, LC State 76-157.
LC State – 4, Kyla Currie 75-159. T10, Nicole Propheter 85-166. T16, Alexandra Schmidt 87-171. 26, Mylaina Parker 88-183.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.