Freshman DeRuntz Named Illinois Wesleyan Men’s Golf “MVP”

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Freshman Mike DeRuntz has been chosen as the “Most Valuable Player” for the Illinois Wesleyan men’s golf team.

DeRuntz (Western Springs, Ill., Lyons Township HS) finished with a scoring average of 75.5 and had two finishes in the top five, including a second place tie of 122 golfers competing in the IWU Invitational April 21-22.His 75.5 scoring average, in 17 rounds, is the second lowest in a season at Illinois Wesleyan, trailing only freshman Michael Hasselbring (Bloomington, Tri-Valley HS), who averaged 75.4 strokes over 12 rounds.

DeRuntz’s score of 69 at the Golden Isles Invitational on March 24 was tied for the low round of the season with junior Drew Kepple (Tremont, Ill. HS), who fired a 69 in last fall’s North County Steakhouse Classic on Sept. 17.

In another team honor, senior Mark Samartino (Aurora, Ill., Marmion Academy) was the winner of the “Titan Award” as he finished with an eight-round average of 77.3 with a low round of 70 in the first round of the IWU Invitational at Ironwood.

Hasselbring and sophomore Mark Niemann (Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS) were chosen to the all- College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin squad for their top 10 finishes in the tournament. Niemann carded a two-day total of eight-over 152 to finish fourth and Hasselbring was tied for 10th with an 11-over par total of 155.IWU’s run of five straight CCIW men’s golf titles ended with a second place finish to Carthage.

The Titans were the first to win five straight since Augustana (1978-82) and Millikin, who won eight straight championships from 1983-90.

Head coach Jim Ott awarded letters to 10 players, eight of whom return for next season. They are, with hometowns and high schools:

SENIORS – Mark Samartino (Aurora, Ill., Marmion Academy); Matt Sump (Lakewood, Ill., Crystal Lake South HS).

JUNIORS – Ryan Gumbel (Seymour, Ill., Mahomet-Seymour HS); Drew Kepple (Tremont, Ill., HS).

SOPHOMORES – Mark Niemann (Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS); Alex Warner (West Dundee, Ill., Dundee Crown HS).

FRESHMEN – Nick Cuca (Arlington Heights, Ill., Rolling Meadows HS); Mike DeRuntz (Western Springs, Ill., Lyons Township HS); Chris Green (Cary, Ill., Cary-Grove HS); Michael Hasselbring (Bloomington, Tri-Valley HS).