Stronger final round puts MCC golfers in fourth overall

LA JUNTA, Colo. – The McCook Community golfers posted the third best team score Friday, but Eastern Wyoming once again ran away with the tournament title with a four-under 556 to finish 25 shots ahead of second-place Otero College. MCC finished in fourth place, five shots back of Northeastern Junior College.

“Lots of challenges for us this week, but I feel like the guys did a pretty good job persevering through it,” said MCC Coach Grant Case.

Case said sophomore Ross Donachie (Narin, Scotland) got sick on Wednesday and was unable to travel to Colorado with the team. Last week freshman Xander Sellman (Iola, Kan.) hurt his knee in the tournament at Sterling, Colo., and is still recovering.

“So we were down to four guys for this week,” said Case.

MCC’s Andrew Brown (sophomore, Wollongong, Australia) posted the low individual round Friday of any golfer and his 65 pushed him into a tie for second place in the individual honors.

“It was really impressive stuff again out of Andrew turning in a 65 (-5) today, and ending in a tie for second in the tournament,” said Case.

Brown tied Eastern Wyoming’s Freddie Dancox in second place with one-under par 139s. Brown shot a four-over 74 on Thursday but his 65 on Friday was four shots better than any other player. Eastern Wyoming’s Taiki Sugawara had the top tournament score with a five-under par 135.

Freshman Cole Graham (McCook) had rounds of 76 and 77 to finish in the top half of the field with a 153. Thatcher Ommert (freshman, Montgomery, Texas) had a 154 and sophomore Chance Gambini (Las Vegas, Nevada) finished with a 165.

The Indians travel to Lamar Thursday and Friday for that two-day tournament then return home for the final meet of the fall schedule Oct. 10-11 at Heritage Hills.

Up-to-date information about MCC golf including schedule, statistics, rosters, photos and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com

TEAM RESULTS AT OTERO

1. Eastern Wyoming - 4 275-281 – 556

2. Otero JC + 21 289-292 – 581

3. Northeastern JC + 46 301-305 – 606

4. McCook CC + 51 311-300 – 611

5. Lamar CC + 55 313-302 – 615

6. Mesalands CC + 62 312-310 – 622

MCC INDIVIDUAL SCORES

T2. Andrew Brown - 1 74-65 – 139

T17. Cole Graham + 13 76-77 – 153

21. Thatcher Ommert + 14 81-73 – 154

T33. Chance Gambini + 25 80-85 – 165