LATHAM, N.Y. - Nine United East men’s golf programs are ready for the Spring Season as some teams begin their season this week. Penn College was crowned Champions in 2024 and will look to go for the three-peat in 2025.
This year’s United East Championship will be hosted by Wilson College at Chambersburg Country Club. The Opening Round will tee off on Friday, April 25 with the concluding round coming the following day. Check out a preview of all nine programs below.
Find the link to the full schedule HERE: MEN'S GOLF SCHEDULE
Penn College (2024 UEC Championship Finish: 1st)
The Wildcats return a strong lineup as they search for their third conference championship in as many years. Senior Payton Mussina highlights the lineup as his performance at the National Championship last season earned him individual playing honors as he moved onto the additional days. Two other 2024 All-Conference members return to the lineup this season as Will Orwig (T-6th) and Gunner Redmond (T-8th) both will be back this year. Penn College had a successful fall season which included coming in first at the United East Championship Preview, but they look to test themselves even more in the spring as they host their own Moselem Cup in mid-april.
Penn State Harrisburg (2024 UEC Championship Finish: 2nd)
A constant figure at the top of the standings, Harrisburg looks to jump one place after a second place finish in 2024. New head coach Gary Johnson is excited for his team as they captured a pair of runner-up finishes in the fall including one at the United East Championship Preview. Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Gaven Fegley returns to the lineup after taking second place individually at last year’s Championship. Jacob Lotz also looks to make an impact as he placed sixth at the Preview this fall.
Coach’s Overview: “A young team that has been battle tested over the past 2 years. We are looking to continue to grow as a team, while working hard and supporting each other on and off the course. As a new coach it has been exciting to see the leadership on this team and how they work together to help each other succeed.”
Lancaster Bible College (2024 UEC Championship Finish: 3rd)
Lancaster Bible has shown consistency as a program throughout its history, earning a solid third place finish at last year’s Championship. Jake Rotelle will be a name to watch for the Chargers as the senior has picked up First Team All-Conference honors the last two years including coming in third last season. Brady Wiggins will also play a solid role as he most recently placed 7th at the Lebanon Valley Invite in the Fall. The Chargers will host their own two-day Invite in mid April to prep for the Championship later in the Month
Coach’s Overview: “As our team is growing in maturity, the Charger Golf program is looking to continue improving in pursuit of becoming the best they can be. With the additions of transfer Matthew Wilson (Sophomore) and the addition of Chris Jackson from our soccer team, along with the non-starters improving, the Bible College now appears to have depth which will be a great asset in improving our teams competition amongst themselves which will help produce better results in tournament play. Coming off our first ever winning record in the fall 42-17-2, we are to continue building from our positive momentum from the fall.”
University of Rutgers-Camden (2024 UEC Championship Finish: 4th)
The Scarlet Raptors have been in contention in nearly every United East Championship but are on the hunt for their first conference title since the 2018-19 season. Bob Cardea enters his 30th season at the helm of the program and will host their own Invite on April 7th to get the spring season going. Santino Leone and Pearse Lee were two of the top finishers for Rutgers-Camden last season and look to be maintaining those positions in 2024-25 as they placed 6th and 13th in this year’s preview.
Penn State Abington (2024 UEC Championship Finish: 5th)
Its head coach Chris Crails’ fourth year at the helm and he is hoping that some new faces will help lead the Nittany Lions to a conference title. The team garnered a fourth-place finish at the Championship Preview this fall and will look to tune up the squad some more using the Penn State DIII Challenge at the end of the month. Bern Popky is the returning veteran for the team, as the co-captain finished just inside the top-25 at last year’s championship. Newcomer Jack Lennox impressed in the fall as his fifth-place finish in the Championship Preview helped earn him a co-captain spot.
Coach’s Overview - “We have a young team that showed some talent this Fall, I was excited to see our improvement this Spring, but we did unfortunately lose 2 key players due to eligibility. We have a great group of guys that are working hard and we will still make some noise this Semester. We are looking to continue to grow and build on what we have so far!”
Wilson College (2024 UEC Championship Finish: 6th)
The Wilson men’s golf program has taken some big strides as of recent and are looking to continue that momentum into the Spring. Tony Yaniello took the reins as head coach last year, leading to their best ever program finish in the Championships. He’ll have Tristan Worlock as a returning player who most recently set the program record for low score this fall. Robert Kozicki will also rejoin the team who broke that record as well, but only holding it for a short time before Worlock bettered it. The Phoenix are hungry to improve at the Championship this season and have a good shot as it will be at their home course.
Coach’s Overview - “Looking for more improvements after breaking school records last spring and fall. Building confidence on and off the course is main goal”
Penn State Berks (2024 UEC Championship Finish: 7th)
Berks had a tough outing at last year’s Championship but are hoping that with the return of some veteran presence that 2024-25 will fare better. Kolin Grogesky was the team’s top finisher in last year’s Championship, earning 22nd place which was just under teammate Brock DeJesus. Peyton Moyer has been a welcomed addition to the squad though as he has garnered a couple top-10 finishes this fall.
Rosemont College (2024 UEC Championship FInish: 8th)
The Ravens are looking to have a bounce back year as they are in search of their first title since 2022. They will have help from Liam O’Rourke who returned this season after missing 2024. O’Rourke has already shown promise as he placed second in the United East Championship Preview this fall. Former United East Golfer of the Year turned head coach, Sam Reynolds, will look to get the squad in top shape as he has scheduled some quality events including at Washington (Md.) today.
Penn State Brandywine (2024 UEC Championship Finish: N/A)
Penn State Brandywine will have its first crack at a United East Championship title as the Nittany Lions moved to Division III status this year. The squad has a solid congruencey at the top as three different golfers have led the squad across their four fall events. Brian Stout is in his first year as the head of the team and will lean on the lone senior, Ty Coccia, for leadership in the spring.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram - gounitedeast | Twitter - @GoUnitedEast
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.