The men's golf team had won the Ivy League championship once in its 32 year program history.
But make that twice now.
The Quakers took home their second Ivy trophy Sunday afternoon, beating second place Brown by ten shots at Galloway National Golf Club in New Jersey. Penn won its first Ivy championship back in 1998.
"It's a great milestone accomplished for our program," said coach Rob Powelson. "I see a shift in terms of new leadership and teams coming on board and I think we are one of those programs."
The Quakers finished up with a total of 904 (300-303-301). Brown followed them with a 914, followed by Columbia, Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth and Cornell, in that order.
The women's side, however, did not fare well, coming in fifth out of the seven Ivy League women's teams. They shot a combined 1009 (328-331-350), 35 shots behind fourth place Harvard and 76 shots behind first place Columbia.
"We definitely struggled, there is no doubt," said coach Francis Vaughn. "We can't blame the weather and everyone played the same golf course. We just didn't play well."
The women's team was led once again by freshman Lisette Vitter, who ended the tournament tied for 13th place overall.
Despite the finish over the weekend, the young women's team is looking forward. It will look to build its program for next year, with four of the five starters returning.
The men, however, have been preparing for this moment ever since their fall season, and knew that they had put in the work necessary to have a chance to win.
"These are five young men who stayed together as a team and throughout this weekend dealt with some ups and downs at a very difficult golf course," said Powelson.
The Quakers were five shots behind first place Columbia going into the final round, but after junior Nick Ryder posted his 76 followed by sophomore Michael Blodgett's 74, they knew they had a shot at the title.
"I am very proud of Ryder," said Powelson. "Nick struggled on day one, and when he put up that 76 it really set the tone. After he posted, I could tell on everyone's faces that they knew this was their tournament to win."
Freshman Chance Pipitone came through for his team, finishing tied for second place with a 221 (73-73-75), just one shot behind Chris Condello of Columbia (71-75-74).
"I wasn't nervous," said Pipitone. "I've had those nights where I stayed up till 5 in the morning shaking, but that didn't happen this time. I was really excited to go out and play this one. I knew it would be close and I would have a chance to shine."
Pipitone stepped onto the final hole one shot down when his playing partner Condello put his second shot in the bunker. Pipitone then two-putted for what he thought would be the win, but Condello marvelously got up and down to hold on to the win.
There was, however, a little controversy surrounding Condello's win. Pipitone was given a two stroke penalty for showing up late to his second round tee time. The penalty was appealed, but not overturned.
"I expressed my strong dissatisfaction with the way that situation was handled," said Powelson. "I was very angered and taken back by the whole process."
Despite the penalty, the victory still belonged to the Quakers.
But they are not satisfied just yet and are looking to get their names on the national map.
"We have a really bright future," said Pipitone. This team is not just thinking Ivies anymore, like in the past. Everyone is thinking NCAA's, and Ivies is now just a step."
