By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, OH---The No. 3 Express men's golf team, coming off one of the best seasons in program history, has landed a star-studded three person recruiting class thus far for next year.

Kirby Manown III

The 6'1" Manown comes to the Express from Belle Vernon Arca High School in Belle Vernon, Penn. In 2011, he captured the Westmorland Junior Amateur Championship. As a freshman, he was named the Section Freshman of the Year. Additionally, he was a two-time W.P.I.A.L Section Champion (Jr. and Sr.) and a two-time Section MVP (Jr. and Sr.)

"Kirby is not like most freshman that come to your program," said Express men's golf head coach Josh Williams. "His mindset is above and beyond what you see in a typical freshman, his positive attitude and eagernesses to get better and make those around him better. He is already playing in  AJGA events throughout the United States. For a incoming freshman to already take those initiatives to get himself ready for the college game says a lot about who he is as a young man."

Kirby is the son of Kirby Manown Jr. 

Dru Hein

The 5'10" Hein comes to the Express from Jasper High School in Jasper, Ind. As a freshman, he was the Big 8 Conference Medalist, and he followed that up with two All-Big 8 Conference selections and three appearances in the state finals. His team finished third in the state his junior year and he tied for 20th individually that year.

As a senior, Hein posted a 72 en route to a sectional championship, and his team is playing for a trip to the state tournament this Thursday.

"Dru was highly recruited out of high school and comes from a very nice program," Williams said. "He is one of those players that a coach gets lucky to have. Obviously making the Indiana High school state championship three years in a row is not a fluke. His desire, mental game and positive attitude makes him a very strong player. Just those qualities alone puts Dru ahead of most kids and I look for him to not only take his game to a whole new level but also help this team hoist the national championship trophy."

Dru is the son of Jeremy and Tasia Hein.

Philippe Weppernig

Weppernig comes to the Express from Kriens, Switzerland. He took part in an international junior tour this past year, where he posted a top score of back-to-back 62's at the Club Championship GC Rastenmoos.

"Philippe is a wonderful addition to the 2013-2014 team," Williams said. "With his experience, maturity and success throughout the International Junior Tour, I look for him to make a huge impact right away guiding us to a national championship."

Notes

The Express men's golf team captured the program's fourth Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) title this past year. It was their first title since 2009. During the title run, the team won every OCCAC tournament. Following that, the Express won the program's first Region XII tournament championship and went on to finish 10th in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) D-II National Tournament.