West Virginia, Penn State Renew Rivalry

West Virginia, Penn State Renew Rivalry

While the West Virginia Mountaineers have not met traditional rival Penn State on the gridiron since 1992 (and will not meet again until 2023), the two schools will meet on the links Saturday at the Reunion Club in Orlando.

The Mountaineers and the Nittany Lions will compete for the Athletic Directors Trophy, resuming an event that started more than 45 years ago. Previously known as the Big Four Athletic Directors Trophy, WVU and PSU were joined by Syracuse and Pitt in the competition. The Nittany Lions won the first two events in 1971 and 1972 before three of the four programs were discontinued. West Virginia reinstated the program and resumed varsity competition in the fall of 2015. WVU coach Sean Covich and Penn State coach Greg Nye chose to resume the head-to-head series, which dates back to 1940.

“You’re always excited to get the spring season started after winter break but playing in this event makes it even that much more special,” WVU coach Sean Covich said. “Coach Nye has always been a great mentor for me, and I’m grateful to him and Penn State for allowing us to bring back this event.

I’m looking forward to seeing how our guys come out of the gate this spring, hopefully we can gain some confidence this weekend to propel us to a great spring season.”

Players will tee off in three foursomes starting at 12:20 for 18 holes at the par-72, 7,244-yard Nicklaus Course. Each squad will consist of six competitors with the lowest five scores counting. Tristan Nicholls, Drew Dewald, Etienne Papineau, Chris Williams, Max Sear and Alan Cooke make up the West Virginia squad.

Sear led the Mountaineers through the fall with a 72.27 stroke average and a pair of top-20 finishes. He was one of three Mountaineers to finish with a scoring average of 72.50 or better, as Cooke averaged 72.40 and Papineau boasted a 72.45 scoring average through his first four collegiate events. The three have combined for six rounds in the 60s and five top-20 finishes.

12:20

Ryan Dornes (PSU)
Alec Bard (PSU)
Tristan Nicholls (WVU)
Drew Dewald (WVU)

12:30

JD Hughes (PSU)
Christian Elliott (PSU)
Etienne Papineau (WVU)
Chris Williams (WVU)

12:40

Cole Miller (PSU)
Charles Huntzinger (PSU)
Max Sear (WVU)
Alan Cooke (WVU)

 

SOURCE: WVU Sports

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