May 24, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Senior Mickey Stefan has been chosen as the “Most Valuable Player” for the Illinois Wesleyan men’s golf team.
Stefan (Chicago, Niles Notre Dame HS) finished second in a playoff at the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championships, won for the fifth straight year by IWU. He had a team-best season stroke average of 76.3 in 20 rounds and was IWU’s low scorer in three meets, including the Golden Isle Invitational (Georgia) in March when he finished eighth and was named to the all-tournament team.
Senior Eric Hellman (Bloomington, Normal West HS) earned the “Titan Pride Award.” A three-year letterman, Hellman was limited this season to only two competitive rounds due to injury and fired a 72 at Ironwood on April 23 in IWU’s invitational.
Three other Titans had sub-77 averages this year, including senior Eric Danielson (Channahon, Minooka HS) and sophomores Ryan Gumbel (Seymour, Mahomet-Seymour HS) and Drew Kepple (Tremont HS). Gumble and Kepple had identical 20-round averages of 76.7 and Danielson had a 76.9 average and tied Gumbel with a season-low round of 69.
IWU is the first school to win five straight CCIW men’s golf titles since Augustana won five in a row from 1978-82. Millikin won eight straight championships from 1983-90.
Head coach Jim Ott awarded letters to nine players, six of whom return for next season. They are, with hometowns and high schools:
SENIORS– Eric Danielson, Channahon, Ill. (Minooka HS); Eric Hellman, Bloomington (Normal West HS); Mickey Stefan, Chicago, Ill. (Niles Notre Dame HS).
JUNIORS – Mark Samartino (Aurora, Ill., Marmion Academy); Matt Sump, Lakewood, Ill. (Crystal Lake South HS).
SOPHOMORES – Ryan Gumbel (Seymour, Ill., Mahomet-Seymour HS); Drew Kepple, Tremont, Ill. (HS).
FRESHMEN – Mark Niemann (Quincy, Ill., Notre Dame HS); Alex Warner, West Dundee, Ill. (Dundee Crown HS).
