HOBBS, N.M. — Wayland Baptist men's golf turned in a strong team performance at the Battling in the Desert, finishing tied for third among 17 teams at Rockwind Community Links Golf Course.
The Pioneers completed the three-round tournament at 9-under par as a team, securing a T3 finish in a field that featured 91 individual golfers. Wayland was led by Enzo Dakiche, who earned a fifth-place individual finish, while four Pioneers placed inside the top 30.
Dakiche was consistent throughout all three rounds, opening with a 1-under 71 before improving with a 3-under 69 in the second round. He closed the tournament with a 2-under 70 to finish at 6-under (210) and claim fifth place overall.
Maxime Olivo gave Wayland another top-20 finish, placing T19 at 1-over (217). Olivo got off to an outstanding start with a 4-under 68 in the opening round, one of Wayland's lowest rounds of the tournament. He followed with a 71 in Round 2 before closing with a 78.
August Nord finished just one stroke behind Olivo, placing T23 at 2-over (218). After opening with a 73, Nord delivered one of the best rounds of the tournament for the Pioneers with a 4-under 68 in Round 2. He finished with a 77 in the final round.
Leonard Lebrun added another top-30 result for Wayland, finishing T28 at 3-over (219). Lebrun bounced back from an opening-round 76 by firing a 2-under 70 in the second round and completed the tournament with a 73.
Sacha Brendle finished T35 at 5-over (221) after rounds of 72, 76 and 73. His even-par opening round helped Wayland establish itself near the top of the team standings early in the tournament.
Competing individually, Edouard Petit finished T49 at 10-over (226). Petit made an impressive turnaround after an opening-round 82, cutting 12 strokes off his score with a 2-under 70 in Round 2 before closing with a 74.
Alexandre Genet rounded out Wayland's competitors with a 73rd-place finish at 19-over (235). Genet improved in each round, following an opening 84 with a 77 before posting his best round of the tournament, a 74, in the finale.
The third-place team finish gives Wayland another strong result as the Pioneers turn their attention toward postseason competition.
Wayland will next travel to Hammock Beach, Florida, for the NCCAA National Championships, Oct. 18-21.
Individual Results
Team Finish: T3 of 17 teams (-9)
Individual Field: 91 golfers
