OWASSO, Okla. (Sept. 22, 2014) – The bad news for Oklahoma Christian was that the Eagles didn't come close to playing their best on Monday during the first two rounds of the National Christian College Athletic Association Central Region Championship.
The good news? Despite its first-day struggles, OC still is in the hunt for the region title.
The Eagles posted team scores of 285 and 284 to stand in third place in the eight-team field at 7-under-par 569. OC trails Heartland Conference rival Dallas Baptist (Texas) by five shots and Central Baptist (Ark.) by two shots entering Tuesday's final round at Owasso Golf and Athletic Club.
"I look forward to seeing our response tomorrow and I expect we will play solid and compete," OC coach
David Lynn said.
Junior
Sam Johnston and freshman Zac Schaeffer led the Eagles on Monday. Johnston fired a pair of 2-under-par 70s in the 7,034-yard course, while Schaeffer opened with a 67 before shooting a 73 in the afternoon. They were tied for fifth individually, five shots behind Austin Harmon of Central Baptist
The rest of the Eagles were up and down all day. Freshman
Asher Owen followed a morning 74 with an afternoon 69 and was tied for 11th in the 46-man field at 143. Senior
Jared Consoli shot rounds of 74 and 72 and was tied for 18th at 146.
Senior
Trey Payne (75-73) was tied for 25th at 148. Freshman
Chase Esparza, playing as an individual in his first collegiate tournament, struggled with an opening-round 78 but improved to 71 in the afternoon and was tied for 28th at 149.
"We struggled today," Lynn said. "Zac's morning round and Asher's afternoon round kept us close enough to have a chance. I've been pleased with their contributions as freshmen. Sam hit the ball well today. He made 28 pars in 36 holes; he just didn't get the ball in the hole for birdie. Trey and Jared made some big numbers and on this golf course it's easy to do that."
The tournament winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCCAA Championship in Panama City Beach, Fla., in late October. If OC doesn't win the regional title, the Eagles would seem to be in strong position to snag an at-large bid into the national tournament.
