By Freddie Fitzsimmons, Contributing Writer
The West Liberty men’s golf team, under the direction of Coach Mike Ricci, is preparing for the Cecil C. Spadafora Invitational. The tournament is hosted by Indiana University of Pennsylvania at Indiana Country Club, starting today, April 15, through tomorrow, April 16.
The Hilltoppers will be preparing, and as always says Ricci, “We have to continue our hard work and the results will show.”
Coming off a week where the Hilltoppers hosted the Oglebay Intercollegiate, placing 8 out of 17, they will be back on the road to a place they found success last season.
The Hilltoppers will look for that repeated success they captured last year, where they won the event by one over Le Moyne College with a two day total of 600, overcoming an 8 shot deficit after the first round. The team is led by senior Cory Hoshor, three time All Region and All MEC player, who received second place individually last year with rounds of 73-72.
Behind Hoshor, the Hilltoppers provide plenty of depth. Senior Joey Cilone placed fourth in the event last year, while fellow senior Mike Rogers placed 21 out of 54. Sophomore Sean Trapp will be in the lineup once again, also looking to accomplish what he did last year, placing eighth.
The Hilltoppers will face off against some familiar faces. Region leader University of Charleston, coming fresh off a win at the Oglebay Intercollegiate, will be in the lineup looking to maintain their No. 1 regional ranking.
Others attending the invitational will be Le Moyne College, California University of Pennsylvania, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Clarion University, West Chester University, Millersville University, and Pittsburgh Johnstown.
After the Cecil C. Spadafora Invitational, the Toppers come to a close in their spring season, with the NCAA regional championship on May 7-10 at Glade Springs Resort in Daniels, W. Va.
To keep up with the West Liberty men’s golf team, go onto hilltoppersports.com and be sure to grab next week’s issue of the Trumpet for more game previews.
Photo Credit: Katie Higginbotham
