ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio (Sept. 5) – Junior Chaz Ekoniak fired an impressive eight-under over two rounds to capture medalist honors and helped the California (PA) men's golf team capture the tournament title at the season-opening Wheeling Invitational on Friday.

TEAM NOTES
• The Vulcans carded a six-over 574 (284-290) to win the team title while playing at Belmont Hills Country Club.
• Cal recorded the lowest round of the tournament by shooting an even-par 284 in the opening round on Thursday.
• IUP and Bluefield State tied for second in the team standings with an 11-over 579.
• The event featured players from 11 different programs, including seven teams from the MEC.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
• Ekoniak collected medalist honors for the first time in his career, as he topped the field of 85 golfers by two strokes.
• He finished the tournament with an eight-under 134 (66-68) behind 11 birdies, including a combined seven birdies on the back nine.
• Ekoniak is the first Cal golfer in over 15 years to record a 36-hole score lower than 140 after entering the year with a collegiate-best total of 147 over two rounds.
• Junior Gavin Goodrich tied for fourth overall on the individual leader board after shooting an even-par 142 (71-71).
• He paced the field in Ohio with a combined 28 pars over two rounds.
• Classmate Anthony DePietress also registered a top-10 finish at the event, shooting a two-over 144 (71-73) to tie for 10th place.

NEXT
• The Vulcans are idle for two-plus weeks before co-hosting the Hannastown Intercollegiate with Wheeling in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 22-23.

CAL RESULTS AT WHEELING INVITATIONAL
1. Chaz Ekoniak -8 | 134 (66-68)
T-4. Gavin Goodrich E I 142 (71-71)
T-10. Anthony DePietress +2 I 144 (71-73)
* T-16. Ben Edwards +4 I 146 (76-70)
* T-25. Rocky Mittica +6 I 148 (73-75)
* T-34. Jacob Pedley +8 I 150 (72-78)
* T-42. Trent Samelko +9 I 151 (74-77)
T-48. Milo Sesti +12 I 154 (76-78)
T-48. Aidan Fulkroad +12 I 154 (76-78)