MCC golfers win region title; headed to nationals
TORRINGTON, Wyo. – The McCook Community College golf team won its final regular season tournament of the year, officially wins the Region IX title and have qualified for the NJCAA national tournament for the fifth time in the past six years.
MCC finished the tournament Thursday at nine under par, 16 shots ahead of Eastern Wyoming. MCC had a team score of five-under par Wednesday and four-under par Thursday. Northeastern Junior College finished in third place, 24 shots back of MCC.
"This was a great team win and score today in some tough conditions," said MCC Coach Tyler Loop. "I'm really proud of these guys in all they accomplished this season."
This is the eighth straight tournament MCC has won this calendar year including all five of this spring's Region IX tournaments, to claim the Region IX Championships.
MCC is also looking for its first-ever West District Championship and will wait until the end of the week as NJCAA officials compile scoring averages. MCC and teams in Region IX are paired with three Arizona teams in Region I to form the NJCAA West District. Heading into the final weekend of golf, MCC leads the West District with at adjusted scoring average of 2.27-over par per round. Pima Community College is second in the district with an adjusted scoring average of 3.13 (and is ranked No. 9 in the nation). Eastern Wyoming is third at 11.40.
Three MCC golfers finished in tie for second place. Ethan Gough (sophomore, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) had rounds of 70 and 73 to finish at 1-under. He had already claimed the top prize in the individual standings.
Sophomore Jordan Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) was at 73 Wednesday and came back with a 70 Thursday to finish at 1-under. Freshman Cade Cryer had the lowest round of any golfer Thursday with a four-under 68 to finish at 1-under par. He also finished in third place in the individual season long standings with 53 points.
Sophomore Brayden Dahl (Outer West Durban, South Africa) finished in a tie for sixth place with rounds of 68 and 76 for an even 144. He finished in fifth place in the individual standings with 42 points.
Sophomore Cayden Wynne (Lincoln) had rounds of 72 and 73 to finish at one-over par, 145 and he finished in sixth place in the standings. Sophomore Payton Craw (McCook) had rounds of 77 and 83 for a two-day 160.
Competing as an individual, sophomore Spencer Wishon (Oberlin, Kan.) shot a seven-over 151 to finish in a tie for 14th place.
"It's been a true team in every aspect but we still have one tournament to get ready for," said Loop.
The NJCAA National tournament will be May 16-19 at the Sand Creek Golf Course at Newton, Kan.
For all the up-to-date information on MCC golf this season including, schedules, statistics, rosters and photos, please visit the official website of MCC Athletics at mccindians.com
FINAL TEAM RESULTS AT EWC
1. McCook CC - 9 283-284 – 567
2. Eastern Wyoming + 7 290-283 – 583
3. Northeastern JC + 15 298-293 – 591
4. Otero JC + 38 304-310 – 614
5. Central Wyoming + 47 311-312 – 623
6. Lamar CC + 58 310-324 – 634
MCC INDIVIDUAL SCORES
T2. Ethan Gough - 1 70-73 – 143
T2. Jordan Bingham - 1 73-70 – 143
T2. Cade Cryer - 1 75-68 – 143
T6. Brayden Dahl E 68-76 – 144
8. Cayden Wynne + 1 72-73 – 145
T29. Payton Craw + 16 77-83 – 160
Competing as an individual
T14. Spencer Wishon + 7 77-74 – 151