MCC golfers start today with seven-stroke tourney lead

TORRINGTON, Wyo. – The McCook Community College golf team has a seven-shot lead over Eastern Wyoming heading into the final round of Region IX play Thursday.

MCC shot a five-under 283 on Wednesday, the Eastern Wyoming Lancers shot a two-over 290 and Northeastern Junior College is third with a 10-over 298.

“This was a much better first-day score than we’ve been averaging on our road trips,” said MCC Coach Tyler Loop.

MCC has already clinched a Region IX championship but are now looking for the school’s first ever district championship.

“We have some goals to accomplish tomorrow and if we match our second-day average we should be in good shape,” said Loop.

Teams in Region IX are paired with three Arizona teams in Region I to form the NJCAA West District and heading into the final week of play for Region IX, 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. The district standings are not official until all scores are posted at the end of the month.

Individually, MCC golfers posted the top two scores on the day. Sophomore Brayden Dahl (Outer West Durban, South Africa) leads the field with a four-under 68 on the day, two shots better than teammate Ethan Gough (sophomore, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa).

Sophomore Cayden Wynne (Lincoln) was even-par on the day and is tied for fourth place. Jordan Bingham (sophomore, South Jordan, Utah) was one-over with a 73 and is tied for eighth place.

Cade Cryer (freshman, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) was three-over and Payton Craw five over. Competing as an individual, sophomore Spencer Wishon (Oberlin, Kan.) shot a five-over 77.

The tournament and the Region IX schedule conclude today.