UCO leads state contingent in Natural State Classic
CABOT, Ark. (March 2) – Caleb Kimmel and Evan Griffith had top-10 finishes to lead Central Oklahoma to a fourth-place finish in the Natural State Classic that wrapped up Tuesday.
The Bronchos closed with a 303 to finish two trips around the 7,051-yard, par-72 Greystone Country Club with a 603 total. Arkansas Tech won the 19-team tourney at 576, followed by Missouri Western (592), Henderson State (594) and UCO.
Among other Oklahoma Schools, Southwestern Oklahoma State finished fifth, Northeastern State placed ninth, Southeast Oklahoma State 11th, Southern Nazarene 15th, Oklahoma Baptist 16th and Northwestern Oklahoma State 17th.
Kimmel and Jacob Lackey both fired 1-over-par 73s in the final round, while Griffith closed with a 75. Joe Lemieux added an 82 and Kylian Cavdar an 84.
It was the first collegiate tournament for Kimmel and the freshman ended up fifth in the individual standings with a 143 total. He made 15 pars, two bogeys and one birdie in the final round.
Griffith ended up tied for ninth with a 147 total. The second-year freshman overcame a triple bogey-bogey stretch with 15 pars and a birdie in closing with a 75.
The Bronchos are back in action next week, traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada for the Desert Classic March 7-8.
For Northeastern State, Carlos Gomez tied for 18th overall at 151 (74-77). Gabe Replogle finished tied for 34th. Freshman Brayden Strickland shot a 10-over 82 Tuesday to finish with a tournament score of 159. Ryan Morant carded matching 82s. Grant Hynes had the best day for the RiverHawks at 79.
The RiverHawks will have a quick turnaround to their next tournament and head to Las Vegas for the Desert Classic this upcoming Monday and Tuesday.