Eastern Wyoming College’s Men’s Golf Team opened the season with a tournament win at the Central Wyoming College Tournament, Sept. 5-6, in Riverton, Wyoming.

“We were excited to get out and compete in the first tournament of the season. Both the mens and women’s teams have been working hard, so we were ready for a tournament,” EWC Head Golf Coach Zach Smith said. “The guys played great both days to earn a big first win of the season.”

Lancer sophomore Taiki Sugaware finished the tournament in second place with a -6, one stroke below the Central Wyoming College’s Tyler Ewell. Fellow EWC golfer Tytan Birchall finished in fourth place with a -1, ahead of teammate Mathis Fortin, who finished in fifth place with a E. Lancer Joshua Chapman also finished in the top 10 in a tie for eighth place with a +5. Lancer Braylon Bingham finished in 12^th place with a +6. EWC’s Coltin Powell finished in the top 20 with a +13.

“Taiki continues his solid play from last year by shooting 6 under par for the tournament,” Smith said. “All the guys played solid this first week, it was a good start to the season.”

Overall, the Lancers finished on top of the leaderboard with a +1, second place went to Central Wyoming College with a +23. Otero College finished in third with a +32, Northeastern Junior College finished with a +43, Lamar Community College ended the tournament with a +59 and McCook Community College finished with a +78.

On the ladies’ side, the Lancers finished third in the first outing.

“The girls played great for our first ever women’s tournament,” Smith said. “After about 30 minutes of watching them compete against the other region IX teams I knew we could compete with the teams in our region.”

The Lancers had four ladies finish in the top 10, with Lancer Elliann Irick leading the charge in fifth place with a +32, followed by teammate Jessica Applegarth in seventh with a +34. Lancer Bailey Watson finished in eighth place with a +41, followed by Lancer Shayla Claygon, in ninth, with a +42. Other Lady Lancers competing included Georgie Lou Paterakis and Halle Allen.

“We can and need to get better but I’m so proud of the girls’ will to compete,” Smith said. “I can’t wait to see what we can do moving into the rest of the season.”

Next up for the Lancer golfers will be their home tournament held at Gering’s Monument Shadows on Thursday, Sept. 12 and Torrington’s Cottonwood Golf Course on Friday, Sept. 13.

“Overall it was a great first tournament for Lancer Golf and we look forward to the EWC invite this week,” Smith said.