Grace College junior Jon Schram

WINONA LAKE – Grace College’s men’s golf team may not have a senior on the squad, but the Lancers have their fair share of talent and experience in 2015.

The Denny Hepler-coached Lancers are hoping for improved play this year, led by a balanced effort from top to bottom.

“Anytime you start something with a clean slate, it’s a very exciting time. We are a very young team, but we still have strong leaders,” Hepler said. “We are more balanced than we have been in the past.”

Grace struggled to a ninth-place showing in last year’s Crossroads League Tournament, but the Lancers only had one upperclassman score among the team’s top five. In 2015, the junior class of Jonathan Schram, Tyler Ham and Zachary Allyn is joined by Ancilla College transfer Zarek Finley, giving Grace a strong core of leadership.

Also returning is Daniel Zawlocki, who saw action in nearly every tournament last year as a freshman.

If the Lancers can realize their potential, Hepler believes that Grace can finish in the top three in the league. To reach that objective, however, the Lancers will need contributions from every member.

Schram headlines the returners after claiming medalist honors at the Bethel Invitational last year. He finished in the individual top 10 in all but one tournament during the 2014-15 campaign.

“Jonathan [Schram] won one tournament last year, but he hopes to reach more of his potential this fall and win a couple more,” Hepler said. “He has the talent to win every tournament he plays in, so we hope for him to do what he’s capable of this fall.”

Hepler brought in two freshmen this year in Cameron Bates (Frankton) and Chad Spencer (East Central) to reinforce Grace’s ranks.

Grace is hoping for a more steady performance this year. A key, according to Hepler, is to “eliminate big mistakes and to minimize getting into trouble. We want to be a more consistent team.”

The Lancers start the season with the Cardinal Stritch Invitational on Monday and Tuesday at Brown Deer Park Golf Course.