HENDERSON, Nev. – Despite the men shooting under 300 for the second straight day and the women matching their first round score, both the Lewis-Clark State College Men’s and Women’s Golf teams had to settle for fourth place finishes in the Rocky Mountain College Intercollegaite played at the Reflections Bay Golf Club on Wednesday.
The Warrior men were in a three-way tie for second after Tuesday’s opening round and just two shots behind the leader, but even with a 299, the Warriors fell to fourth in a tightly contested battle. Embry Riddle (Ariz.) won the tournament by two shots over host Rocky Mountain (Mont.), which set the course on fire Wednesday with a team score of 285. That moved the Bears from sixth to second. Wayland Baptist (Texas), which was tied with LC after the first day, shot a 297 for a 593 team score, while the Warriors were next at 595, just six shots behind the winner Embry Riddle.
On the women’s side, LC State shot 339 for the second straight day and finished at 678. Embry Riddle also won the women’s side at 657, followed closely by two Canadian schools.
“Disappointing finish today for both teams,” LC coach Brady Campbell said.
On Wednesday, the Warrior men were 11 over on the front nine and eight over on the back nine. Unfortunately for the Warriors, they played the final three holes at 6-over-par.
“We couldn’t finish it today,” Campbell said. “With four or five holes left, we were right in it and we didn’t get going. I need to do better helping us finish better. This is a great learning experience battling some top 10 teams for a win.”
Kristof Panke led the Warriors on Wednesday as he matched par with a 72, which gave him a 145 total and in a tie for fifth place. Carlos Davila tied for 10th at 149, while Jorgen Lie Viken tied for 15th at 151. Juan Pablo Quisoboni, who led LC State in the opening round with a 72, posted an 80 on Wednesday despite three birdies. Davila also had three birdies in his round.
On the women’s side, senior Deana Caruso posted one of the top scores of the day to pace the Warrior women. Her 81 was among the top 10 scores. She had eight pars and one birdie during her round. Her 164 total left her tied for seventh.
Alexandra Schmidt fired her second straight 83 and wound up in 14th place at 186, while Kyla Currie tied for 16th at 170. Currie fired an 86 on Wednesday.
“The women couldn’t quite get it going but Deana with a top-10 finish is great,” Campbell said.
Embry Riddle (Ariz.), ranked No. 6 in the NAIA women’s top 25, won the title with a 657, while the Warriors placed fourth at 678.
Both Warrior teams will be back in action on March 28-30 at the Walla Walla University Wine Valley Invitational.
MEN
Team scores – 1, Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) 294-295-589. 2, Rocky Mountain 306-285-591. 3, Wayland Baptist 296-297-593. 4, Lewis-Clark State 296-299-595. 5, Augustana 303-300-603. 6, The Master’s 296-313-609. 7, Bellevue 312-300-612. 8, UBC Okanagan 319-320–639. 9, tie, Augustana B 315-325-340 and Montana Tech 324-316–340. 11, College of Idaho 348-318–666. 12, Carroll 367-357–724.
Medalist – Mitchell Thiessen, Rocky Mountain, 72-68-140
Lewis-Clark State – T5, Kristof Panke 73-72-145. T10, Carlos Davila 75-74-149. T15, Jorgen Lie Viken 76-75-151. T21, Juan Pablo Quisoboni 72-80-152. T28, Sondre Andresen 77-78-155.
WOMEN
Team scores –1, Embry Riddle (Ariz.) 326-331–657. 2, UBC Okanagan 331-330–661. 3, Fraser Valley 333-330–663. 4, Lewis-Clark State 339-330–678. 5, Rocky Mountain 358-350–708. 6, Montana Tech 376-367–743. 7, Carroll 397-367–764. 8, Wayland Baptist 403-371–774. 9. Soka 401-394–795.
Medalist - Kendell McBean, Embry Riddle, 75-80–165.
Lewis-Clark State – T7, Deana Caruso 83-81–164, 14, Alexandra Schmidt 83-83–166, T16, Kyla Currie 84-86–170, 25, Nicole Propheter 89-89–178, T32, Mylaina Parker 98-93–191.
Stay up to date with all things Warrior Athletics at lcwarriors.com and on social media @LCWarriors.