JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The West Liberty University men's golf team opened play Thursday at the 2026 NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional Championships at Sunnehanna Country Club, finishing the first round tied for 11th in a competitive 20-team field.

The Hilltoppers posted a team score of +15, placing them alongside West Chester after day one of the three-round event.

West Liberty was paced by Justin Doerr, who led the lineup with a steady round of 2-over par (72) to finish tied for 18th individually. Doerr's consistency throughout the round kept the Hilltoppers within striking distance of the top half of the leaderboard.

Adam Gill followed closely behind, carding a 3-over par (73) to sit tied for 30th. Gill, coming off a medalist performance in West Liberty's last outing, continued his strong play with another solid round against a deep regional field.

The Hilltoppers saw additional contributions from Carter Stewart and Ethan Cook, who each posted rounds of 5-over par (75) and are tied for 54th. Brandon Lawhon rounded out the scoring five with a 7-over par (77).

As a team, West Liberty stayed within range of several programs ahead of them, with just 10 strokes separating the Hilltoppers from a top-five position after the opening round.

Gannon leads the field at +5, followed by Winston-Salem State at +7, while Pitt-Johnstown, Wheeling, and Adelphi are tied for third at +9.

West Liberty will look to climb the leaderboard in Friday's second round, with tee times beginning late morning. The Hilltoppers are paired with Fairmont State and individual competitors, beginning at approximately 12:30 p.m.



West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.