Men's Golf | 4/28/2018 6:13:00 PM

WHEELING, W.Va -- Entering the 18-hole 2018 Presidents' Athletic Conference Spring Championships, the Washington & Jefferson men's golf team trailed Thomas More by three strokes. On Saturday, the Presidents erased the margin by 16 to win the league crown by 13 strokes.

W&J carded a 313 on Saturday at Oglebay Resort's Speidel Golf Club and the Jones Course, taking down a 54-hole score of 926 to top Thomas More who finished at 939 (610-329). By virtue of the league title, the Presidents claim the PAC's automatic qualifier to the 2018 NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championship, which will be held May 15-18 at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C.

Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach Matt Kluck earned his first PAC Coach of the Year award after helping the Presidents to their 18th league crown (first since 2015) and seventh NCAA Championships appearance.

The spring scores were led by the 18-hole medalist Jake Darr (Middletown, Md./Middletown), who finished with a one-over par 73, after shooting a two-over 74 on the same course six days earlier.

Garrett Barilar (Bloomsburg, Pa./Central Columbia) was four over with a 76 to finish second for the Presidents and third in the 18-hole scoring for the spring. Ben Peticca (Murrysville, Pa./Franklin Regional) was third for W&J in the spring and tied for ninth in the field with an eight-over 80.

PAC Fall co-medalist Daniel Velasco (Santa Cruz, Bolivia/Santa Cruz Cooperative School) and Casey O'Korn (Canonsburg, Pa./The Linsly School (W.Va.)) each carded 84's at Oglebay.

The story will be updated as more information is available.