Kania finishes strong at Big East tourney

   Michael Kania, the two-time Inter-Ac League champion and two-time All-Delco when he was at The Haverford School, capped his Villanova career this week by finishing in a tie for 22^nd as the Wildcats concluded their season at the Big East Tournament.

   Kania began his collegiate career at the University of Kentucky. He followed older brother James there, but decided to come home to Villanova and the Main Line. He has been a consistent force at or near the top of the Villanova lineup the last three years.

   Kania had rounds of 76, 72 and 73 over the 7,089-yard, par-72 Watson Course layout at Reunion Resort in Reunion, Fla. for a 5-over 221 total.

   Villanova found the waters typically deep at the Big East tourney. The Wildcats had rounds of 297, 303 and 294 to finish in eighth place in the team standings with an 894 total.

   South Florida received a stiff challenge from St. John’s – both teams posted sparkling final-round totals of 281 – but the Bulls held on for a four-stroke victory over the Red Storm, 858-862.

   Cincinnati’s David Tepe captured the individual title with outstanding rounds of 69, 69 and 70 for an 8-under 208 total. That was one shot better than South Florida’s Chase Koepka, who followed up a pair of 70s with a final-round 69 for a 7-under 209 total.

   Kania was followed up for Villanova by fellow senior Derek Jones, who saved his best for last, a final round of 2-under 70 that was the low round of the tournament for the Wildcats. That left him at 222.

   Next for the Wildcats was graduate student Cory Siegfried, another Haverford School product and the 2010 Pennsylvania Amateur champion. Siegfried had rounds of 73, 77 and 75 for a 225 total that left him in a tie for 35th.

   Senior Steve Skurla had rounds of 74, 79 and 76 to finish in a tie for 41st at 229. Sophomore Ted Brennan, the third member of Villanova’s Haverford School connection, finished 54^th with rounds of 81, 76 and 79 for a 236 total.

   It was another solid campaign for second-year Villanova coach James Wilkes, who will lose five members off this team, including Kania, Siegfried, Skurla, Jones and Jimmy Johnston, a Malvern Prep product and Wayne resident.