Wheeling, W.Va. - For the first time since 2014, the Adelphi University men's golf team is sending one of its student-athletes to the NCAA Division II National Championship in Filip Wetterqvist.

Wetterqvist is just the third Adelphi golfer all-time to qualify for nationals, joining the likes of Brant Kummerfeld (2009) and Louis Kelly (2014).

Wetterqvist concluded his final round at the NCAA Atlantic and East Regional Championships tied for fourth, leveraging his 1-under 70 in Round 2 to weather the storm at the top of the leaderboard. The graduate student booked his ticket to nationals, after finishing as the second-place golfer amongst players whose teams did not qualify for the national tournament.

Once those from Gannon University and St. Thomas Aquinas College automatically qualified with the rest of their respective team, the Stockholm, Sweden native only saw himself behind Davis and Elkins College's Matin Eisa. 

"I'm thrilled to be the first men's golfer in a decade to advance this far. After finishing just two spots short last year, my only goal this year was to make nationals, and I'm extremely happy that I manged to accomplish that," said Wetterqvist. 

"I wouldn't be here without my coach and teammates, who have been unwavering sources of support," he continued. "We always push each other to get better every day, whether on the course or in the classroom."

Overall, the team slotted an eighth-place finish as a squad, with a three-day score of 58-over 910. 

The Panthers followed a similar trend to last season to start the tournament off, starting off in fifth place after Round 1. The total score of 301 was aided by all golfers on the scoresheet shooting no worse than a 77. 

An even stronger Round 2 would follow as the overall score was improved by a stroke, mostly due to Wetterqvist's 70 on that Friday. However, a slight falloff of nine strokes on the final day was enough to let the 'Cats slip down the leaderboard, leading to their eighth-place finish. 

After Wetterqvist, Francis Lanuza was the most impressive golfer for the Brown and Gold. His consecutive 74's in the first two rounds was good enough for a tie at 16th heading into Round 3. A slight regression to 76 on Saturday bumped him down to a tie for 21st, rounding out with a total score of 11-over 224. 

Johnny Solari was another sub-80 golfer all three days, with his 76 in Round 3 wrapping up the tournament at 18-over 231. Newcomer Axel Romney had two sub-80 rounds of his own in the first two days, but his 83 on the final day brought him closer to the middle of the pack, ending with a 238. 

Alec Ramos rounded out the Panther scorecard with an even 250. 

"Filip played great golf for 54 holes. Having him qualify as an individual provided some consolation for us narrowly missing making it as a team," recapped Head Coach David Mattana. 

"We came into the season with two goals, to win the NE10, and make the national finals. We came up a touch short on the second one. We hope and expect to get both done next year."

The national tournament begins next Tuesday, May 21 and will continue through Saturday, May 25 in Winter Garden, Fla. at Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge.