MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Skidmore College golf team finished just three strokes behind host Middlebury as it placed second at the weekend's Duke Nelson Invitational. It's Skidmore's best finish in the event in a decade.

• Derek Thomas (73-75—148) finished in a three-way tie for fourth. After an opening round in which he played his final eight holes at 3-under par, he made four birdies on Sunday to secure the top-five finish.
• Skidmore's second-place finish is its best since winning in 2016. The Thoroughbreds were fifth in 2025.
• Cooper Guerriere (75-74—149) was one behind in a tie for eighth in his collegiate debut. He worked around a pair of double-bogeys in the first round with four birdies to shoot a 75. Then, on Sunday, his steady round featured 13 pars and a birdie on the par-3 seventh.
• After an opening 74, Johnny Hwang shot a 78 in the second round on Sunday for a 152 total score and tie for 17^th
• Jaden Cheng bounced back from an opening 81 to shoot the team's best round of the day of 72 in the second round to tie for 21^st (81-72—153). Cheng scored four or better on 17 of the 18 holes in the second round.
• Tate Esler went for 76 and 79 for 155 and a tie for 36^th.  
• Host Middlebury (299-295—594) won the tournament for the first time since 2013. The Panthers finished ahead of the Thoroughbreds by three.
• Amherst's Andre Zhang held on to a one-shot lead to beat Tufts' Jason Zawtocki by a single stroke for medalist honors.

 
FROM HEAD COACH TOM OPPEDISANO
"I am proud of the guys for battling tough under very challenging conditions. We outlasted every team except host Middlebury. 
 
"It's both disappointing and great to come so close to winning, and I think it's a sign of what is to come this season. Time to regroup and get ready for next week at Williams."
 
NEXT UP
Skidmore returns to action next weekend at the Williams Fall Invitational.