Eagles Trio Closes Out Stellar Season and Bring Home a Third Place Finish
Nick Veach
Issue date: 10/20/09 Section: Sports
It was yet another successful season for the Benedictine University men's golf team, to say the least. In each of their six matches - including the Northern Athletics Conference Tournament - the Eagles finished in the top half of their opponents, not to mention a third-place finish at the NAC Tournament held in Haven, Wisconsin.
The Eagles success this season was marked by a team effort in all aspects of the game, but Benedictine was guided by three individuals who each led the way during an outstanding 2009 finish.
Senior R.J. Schwalbach certainly lived up to his name in his Benedictine golf career. The New Berlin, Wisconsin native has been a large part of the Eagles success, not only this past season, but in all four years at Benedictine.
"Obviously since I'm a senior, it's a little more special," said Schwalbach. "You look at every golf course and think that this might be the last time I play on it. It's a cool feeling being a little bit older, to see how everyone is getting better and not making as many mistakes."
Head Coach Frank Janczak has seen plenty of talent on the golf course, but he knows that this season has been a blessing to have had the opportunity to coach such a talented group of young men, R.J. Schwalbach being one of them.
"You've got such a special athlete in R.J. (Schwalbach), being a four-time All-NAC player, Freshman of the Year and a medalist, said Coach Janczak, who just concluded his fifth season at the helm of the men's golf team.
"There's not much more I can say. What a quality gentleman, representing himself and the school. The things he has done are incredible."
Another key component in the Eagles' successful run this season was the exceptional play of Junior Ryan Feldman, who tied for eighth-place at the NAC Tournament. A native of Glenbeulah, Wisconsin, Feldman closed out what he believed to be a "mediocre" season.
"We did alright, not as good as last spring. We lost our best player from last year, so to play decent and have the newcomers play well, I think we did fine," said Feldman.
"Ryan (Feldman) had a great fall for us and I really expect him to carry it going into his senior year," said Janczak.
Surprising many in his debut season, Freshman Jake Kuper also played a significant role in the outcome of the Eagles' season.
The Lockport, Illinois native concluded his first season also tied for eighth place at the NAC Tournament. For his 2009 efforts, Kuper was selected as "Freshman of the Year." Interestingly enough, Kuper joined teammate R.J. Schwalbach with the same honor in which Schwalbach received in 2006.
"It didn't really hit me when it happened," said Kuper. "Looking back on it, I think it's pretty good. It's great to be recognized as a good freshman and I just hope to build on that."
"Jake played very steady," added Coach Janczak. "He was very steady, very consistent and it definitely showed."
The Eagles success this season was marked by a team effort in all aspects of the game, but Benedictine was guided by three individuals who each led the way during an outstanding 2009 finish.
Senior R.J. Schwalbach certainly lived up to his name in his Benedictine golf career. The New Berlin, Wisconsin native has been a large part of the Eagles success, not only this past season, but in all four years at Benedictine.
"Obviously since I'm a senior, it's a little more special," said Schwalbach. "You look at every golf course and think that this might be the last time I play on it. It's a cool feeling being a little bit older, to see how everyone is getting better and not making as many mistakes."
Head Coach Frank Janczak has seen plenty of talent on the golf course, but he knows that this season has been a blessing to have had the opportunity to coach such a talented group of young men, R.J. Schwalbach being one of them.
"You've got such a special athlete in R.J. (Schwalbach), being a four-time All-NAC player, Freshman of the Year and a medalist, said Coach Janczak, who just concluded his fifth season at the helm of the men's golf team.
"There's not much more I can say. What a quality gentleman, representing himself and the school. The things he has done are incredible."
Another key component in the Eagles' successful run this season was the exceptional play of Junior Ryan Feldman, who tied for eighth-place at the NAC Tournament. A native of Glenbeulah, Wisconsin, Feldman closed out what he believed to be a "mediocre" season.
"We did alright, not as good as last spring. We lost our best player from last year, so to play decent and have the newcomers play well, I think we did fine," said Feldman.
"Ryan (Feldman) had a great fall for us and I really expect him to carry it going into his senior year," said Janczak.
Surprising many in his debut season, Freshman Jake Kuper also played a significant role in the outcome of the Eagles' season.
The Lockport, Illinois native concluded his first season also tied for eighth place at the NAC Tournament. For his 2009 efforts, Kuper was selected as "Freshman of the Year." Interestingly enough, Kuper joined teammate R.J. Schwalbach with the same honor in which Schwalbach received in 2006.
"It didn't really hit me when it happened," said Kuper. "Looking back on it, I think it's pretty good. It's great to be recognized as a good freshman and I just hope to build on that."
"Jake played very steady," added Coach Janczak. "He was very steady, very consistent and it definitely showed."
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