In reflecting back on Rensselaer's recently completed athletic season, it quickly becomes obvious that there were – yet again – many memorable individual and team accomplishments, as well as other significant events that occurred. In an effort to relive, remember and celebrate some of our student-athletes and staff members who played major roles in making those occasions a reality, we introduce 11 4 2010-11.

The story below is one in the 11-part series, which will run throughout the next couple of months. The events are not ranked in any particular order. For the full list, along with some 'honorable mentions', eventually, please click HERE.

Are there significant events you remember? You can submit them by clicking HERE. Thank you and enjoy!

Golf Captures 2010 Duke Nelson Tournament

As Division III golf in the Northeast goes it would have to be considered a major championship. Like the Master's, the Duke Nelson Golf Tournament is held every year at the same location, the Ralph Myhre Golf Course on the campus of Middlebury College. The 2010 event, held in mid-September, was the 27th annual.

Given the customary exceptional quality of the field – four teams would go on to qualify for the NCAA Championship, every NESCAC school was represented and there were two Division II entrants – Rensselaer's chances to win would have been considered 'average-to-good', but definitely not 'great'.

RPI opened the two-day event with a first round that eighth-year head coach Miles Nolan would have drawn up, if he could. The Engineers were just one shot off the lead, with three student-athletes in contention for medalist. Junior Matt Lussier (Holliston, MA/Holliston) led the 128-player field with three others, all of whom shot a 3-over 74. Two other Engineers were also in the top 15 as RPI sat in third of the 25 teams trailing just Manhattanville and St. Anselm.

Joining Lussier, who shot a tournament-best 34 on the back nine on day one, in the top 15 was classmate Taylor Wetherby (Rutland, VT/Rutland) and sophomore Grant Rosener (Plano, TX/Plano West). Wetherby opened with a 35 on the front nine and was tied for fifth with a 75. Rosener, who was playing his first year of collegiate golf after a season of football, shot 37-39 for a 76, placing him in 11th. Just five strokes back was senior captain Eric Fritz (Brecksville, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy), who shot 40-41 for an 81.

While excited by their position after that Saturday, the Engineers were well aware that a slip up on the second day would cause them to fall fast. Lurking by just eight shots or fewer were eight teams, including the host Panthers and perennial power and Liberty League rival Skidmore. Of course another day of solid play by each of RPI's golfers could lead to unprecedented success.

Consistency was the key on Sunday as all of Rensselaer's competitors shot better or equal second round scores. In fact, Fritz shaved four shots off his first round, Wetherby, who grew up nearby, was one shot better and Lussier and Rosener matched at 74 and 76, respectively. Only three other teams in the entire field saw their student-athletes do the same.

RPI's team total of 300 in that second round was three strokes better than Skidmore, four better than Hamilton and at least six strokes better than every other school. Manhattanville shot a 309, while third and St. Anselm had a 308 to finish.

Finishing first – by seven strokes – were the Engineers. Individually, Lussier was fourth with a 148, just two shots off the pace, and Wetherby was fifth with a 149. Rosener finished 12th (152) and Fritz was 45th (158).

The victory propelled the Engineers up the regional rankings, even giving them consideration for the NCAA Championship as late as April. More importantly, it proved that Rensselaer could thrive in the major arena.