McLean County Times

On the second day of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championship held at WeaverRidge Golf Club, junior Michael Spitzer from Illinois Wesleyan University achieved a conference tournament record. Spitzer, who hails from Hinsdale, Illinois, played impressively and enabled Illinois Wesleyan to widen their lead at the three-day event. The team scored an eight-under-par 280 for the second consecutive day, leading the field by 26 strokes.

Spitzer's round included five birdies and an eagle, finishing one stroke short of the program's single-round record. He shot a seven-under 65, taking the lead individually with a total score of 138 over two days. This score represents the lowest by any participant at the conference championship since Ryan Dorner from Illinois Wesleyan achieved a six-under 66 in 2009.

Griffin Pohl, a senior from Western Springs, Illinois, follows closely behind Spitzer with a score of 139 after maintaining an even par for the day. Senior Quinn Clifford is tied for third place, shooting a round of 72 for a total of 141. Juniors Juney Bai and Aidan Healy also secured positions in the top 10 ahead of the final round. Bai is tied for fifth with a score of 143, while Healy recorded a one-under 71, sharing the ninth place at 145.

As a team, Illinois Wesleyan maintained their first-day score, bringing their total to 560. Competitors Millikin and Wheaton held second and third places, with scores of 586 and 593, respectively.

The tournament's final round is scheduled for May 3, commencing at 8:30 a.m., with Healy starting for Illinois Wesleyan at 10:10 a.m.

Concurrently, the Golf Coaches Association of America's last regular season top-25 poll, dated May 2, reported Illinois Wesleyan in fifth place with 329 points. Methodist now leads the rankings, gaining 393 points with nine first-place votes, while Washington & Lee moved to second place with 390 points.

Final individual and team standings were also noted. For Illinois Wesleyan, Michael Spitzer led with a total of 138, followed by Griffin Pohl with 139, Quinn Clifford tied at third with 141, Juney Bai tied at fifth with 143, and Aidan Healy at ninth with 145. Team standings showed Illinois Wesleyan in the lead with 560, followed by Millikin at 586, and Wheaton at 593.

The Bushnell/Golfweek Division III Coaches Poll on May 2, 2025, revealed Methodists' ascent to the top rank, while Illinois Wesleyan secured the fifth position, dropping from fourth.