Kasitz Catches Fire, Leads Trojans in Rout

YOKRTOWN, Ind. – Taylor's Adam Kasitz made the most of his first collegiate tournament this weekend, firing a back-nine 31 to collect a win in his collegiate debut and lead the Trojans to a dominant victory.

A freshman from Wichita, Kansas, Kastiz tallied a 5-under par 67 during Saturday's final round, including four consecutive birdies on holes 10-13, to post a two-day total of 2-under par 142. Kasitz ten birdies during the tournament were two more than any other player in the field.

Kastiz's performance propelled the Trojans to a dominant victory on Saturday as TU finished 25 shots clear of second place Indiana Wesleyan while also besting IU Kokomo and Huntington. Taylor followed up Friday's team tally of 287 with a 291 on Saturday to post a two-day total of 2-over par 578.

Sophomore Noah Ross turned in the best performance of his career, backing up an opening round 71 with an even par round of 72 on Saturday to finish one shot behind Kasitz at 143. The duo finished tied for the best par-4 performance for the tournament, each playing the par-4's in 1-under par.

Taylor's dominance extended down the leaderboard as the Trojans collected six of the top seven spots on the individual leaderboard. Junior Javan Johnson (70-77) and freshman Austin Davis (73-74) finished tied for third at 147 followed by sophomore Drew Pickering in sixth place at 148 (73-75). Senior Brady Roberts tied for seventh place at 150 (75-75) while sophomore Erik Fahlen also collected a top-10 finish at 151 (73-78).

All 11 Trojans posted rounds in the 70's on Saturday. Freshman Lance VanErmen carded a 73 while senior Keegan White posted a career-low round of 74. Junior Sam Yeager added a 76 and junior Jason Iler added a 78.

The Taylor reserve squad of VanErmen (73), Davis (74), White (74), Roberts (75), and Iler (78) posted a team score of 296 to finish with a two-day total of 600 (304-296) and take second in the team standings, including finishing ahead of the A-squads for Indiana Wesleyan, IU Kokomo, and Huntington.

The Trojans are set to return to action on Sept. 28-29 when TU travels to the iconic Brickyard Crossing Golf Course located in Speedway, Indiana.