WAYNESBURG, Pa. (August 28) – The Waynesburg University men's golf team begins its 2025-26 season at the Greene County Country Club against Geneva on September 8.

2024-25 Season Review: The Yellow Jackets finished ninth in the 72-hole Presidents' Athletic Conference Championships after a seventh-place showing in the PAC Fall Championships.

Waynesburg notched several impressive tournament showings as the Jackets captured the team title at the Golden Eagles Invitational, a runner-up showing at Bethany's Fall Invitational and a third-place finish at Geneva's Spring Invitational. 

"The Men's team made good progress last season with a tournament win and some podium finishes," said seventh-year head coach Mike Cipoletti. "Matt Karpeal and Alan Tarolli were very good for the better part of both the fall and spring. We also made improvements down the line-up – had better, more consistent play from our 3-5 positions and our back-up golfers compared to previous years. It's a testament to the work the men are doing in our training facility."

The Jackets ranked No. 32 in the region, a two-spot improvement from the previous season's ranking.

Key Returners: Waynesburg's lineup returns to All-PAC contenders in senior Matt Karpeal (Smithfield, Pa. / Albert Gallatin) and sophomore Alan Tarolli (Washington, Pa. / Fort Cherry).

Karpeal led the Jackets with a scoring average of 78.36 and scored in the 70s 10 times in 14 rounds. He notched four all-tournament finishes and tied for 19th overall at the PAC Championships. Karpeal earned All-PAC First Team honors two seasons ago after finishing third overall at the PAC Championships, the top individual finish at the conference championship since 2011.

"Matt played very well all season, and served as a great leader for the team on the course and in the classroom," said Cipoletti. "He didn't play as well in the championship rounds as he would have liked, but he also had a few bounces that didn't go his way. There is some really excellent golf in those top 20 players in our league, and you need a lot of things to go right to get into that top five. When Matt is getting into scoring positions on approach and making putts, he's as good as anyone in the PAC. He's always in the facility hitting balls and always ready to compete. We expect another great season from Matt."

Tarolli turned in a standout freshman season and was a two-time PAC Newcomer of the Week in 2024-25. He ranked second on the roster in scoring average (78.67) and notched five all-tournament finishes. Tarolli claimed medalist honors at Bethany and Kent State Tuscarawas and placed 24th at the PAC Championships.

"We had higher than normal expectations for a freshman with Alan last season," said Cipoletti. "He's such a great ball-striker and he's incredibly focused in his practice and play. We thought he handled the transition from high school to college competition very well. He played in the 2 spot all year – usually against older guys that have been in the league for a couple of years – and he was never intimidated. We like where he is with his game heading into this season. We also like the fact that he now has experienced a successful year in the classroom, too. We look for Alan to compete for top-10 finishes all season."

Senior Hudson Pincavitch (Waynesburg, Pa. / Waynesburg Central), a member of the Waynesburg baseball team in the spring, recorded an 85.83 average in six rounds in the fall and saved his best two rounds (83-81) for the PAC Fall Championships. 

Junior Nate Barnhart (Washington, Pa. / Trinity) appeared in eight events for the Jackets last season.

Newcomers: Waynesburg added to its roster with a pair of transfers and two incoming freshmen for the 2025-26 season.

Brody Donovan (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Brentwood) joins the Jackets after competing for Carlow University last season.

"Brady Donovan is a welcome addition, coming to us from Carlow with quite a bit of starting line-up experience," said Cipoletti. "We've competed against Brady several times over the last two seasons, so we know we're getting a solid, consistent golfer with a very good short game, and an excellent teammate. We think Brady will make a seamless transition to our team and contribute right away." 

Local product Braden Benke (Waynesburg, Pa. / Waynesburg Central) makes his move to Waynesburg after golfing for Bob Jones University.

"Braden Benke is a local guy from Waynesburg Central, coming back home after a season at Bob Jones," said Cipoletti. "We recruited Braden out of high school, so we know we're getting a very fundamentally sound golfer that is capable of putting up low rounds consistently. We're very excited to add these experienced golfers to our roster."

Freshmen David Moore (Waynesburg, Pa. / Waynesburg Central) and Dayton Reynolds (Carmichaels, Pa. / Carmichaels) join the mix for 2025-26.

"Our incoming freshman are also local golfers, Michael Moore from Waynesburg Central and Dayton Reynolds from Carmichaels," said Cipoletti. "Both golfers have tremendous potential we expect them to become contributors as they transition to college athletes. We like what we've seen so far in camp concerning their work ethic and desire to improve."

Looking at the Schedule: The Jackets have five invitationals and two dual matches on the docket ahead of the PAC Fall Championships on Oct. 13-15 at Avalon Lakes.

Waynesburg hosts the WU Fall Invitational at the Namecolin Country Club on Oct. 6 and head to tournaments hosted by Kent State Tuscarawas, La Roche, Franciscan and Grove City. 

Last Word: "We think our roster is deeper and more talented compared to last season, so we expect to improve our scoring averages and our team position," said Cipoletti. "All of our starters will have had plenty of college experience, which is the first time we've been able to say that in a few years. Our coaching staff really likes the camaraderie this group has shown – they support each other and train well together. I know the men are excited to tee it up in a couple of weeks and to get the season underway."