The MCC Athletics Blog

Officially the "unofficial" MCC Athletic Blog; created for all Eagle fans- so that they can keep tabs of their favorite JuCo team.

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Friday

MCC Represented Well At Future Masters

Sean Covich
MCC Sports Information
June 30

(DOTHAN, AL) – Meridian Community College golfer, Dustin Petit continued his steady play by firing a second round 73 (+3) to go along with an opening round 72 (+2). Petit, a sophomore-to-be for the Eagles, made the two day cut with a 145 (+5) total. Petit is currently in a tie for 33rd place out of 240 junior golfers.

The field of 240 was cut down to the top 123 golfers following the second round. The final round of the 57th annual Future Masters will begin Saturday morning at historic Dothan Country Club.

Petit was a key member of MCC’s third place finish in the NJCAA national championship this past spring. Petit was named to the NJCAA All-Tournament team and was the recipient of the Hubert Tucker award given to Mississippi’s best JuCo golfer.

An impressive list of golfing greats have competed in the Future Masters, including past U.S. Open champions Hubert Green and Jerry Pate, Masters winner Larry Mize, PGA champions Bob Tway, Mark Brooks and Shawn Micheel, and British Open winner Ben Curtis.

For more information on the Future Masters, please visit www.futuremastersgolf.com

Thursday

MCC-ers Perform Well In 1st Round Of The Future Masters


Sean Covich
MCC Sports Information
June 29, 2006

(DOTHAN, AL) – Two MCC golfers played well in the first round of the 57th Annual Future Masters junior golf championship played in Dothan, AL.

MCC sophomore-to-be, Dustin Petit, who won the MACJC Hubert Tucker Award given to Mississippi’s JuCo golfer of the year, shot an opening round of 72 (+2). Jarrod Lemaster of Scottsboro, AL, who verbally committed to MCC last week, shot a 72 (+2) also.

Over 240 junior golfers from around the nation are competing in this prestigious event. An impressive list of golfing greats have competed in the Future Masters, including past U.S. Open champions Hubert Green and Jerry Pate, Masters winner Larry Mize, PGA champions Bob Tway, Mark Brooks and Shawn Micheel, and British Open winner Ben Curtis.

Second round play begins Friday morning and the final round will conclude on Saturday. For more information on the Future Masters please visit http://www.futuremastersgolf.com/.

Monday

It's Meridian for Lemaster


By Jason Bowen
The Daily Sentinel
Published June 24, 2006


Thanks to another former Scottsboro high golf standout, Meridian (Miss.) Junior College has a new golfer.

Tyler Nelson, who was a standout at Cleveland (Tenn.) State Community College, told the Meridian coaches about Jarrod Lemaster.

A month later, Lemaster has signed a letter of intent with Meridian.

“They got in contact with me after that and offered me a scholarship,” Lemaster said.

He had offers from other schools, including Huntingdon in Montgomery and Northwest Shoals Community College.

“Meridian is a good fit for him,” said Scottsboro head coach Stan Gibby. “Meridian is definitely committed to their golf program.”

Lemaster said he picked Meridian because of its golf tradition.

The Eagles finished third in the National Junior College Association’s Division II National Championship in May at Scottsboro’s Goose Pond Colony. Meridian also tied a school record by winning six tournaments this past season.

“We might be able to win (the national championship),” Lemaster said.

Lemaster is a product of Alabama's famed Robert Trent Jones Junior Golf Tour, which plays the spectacular Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Golf Trail. Lemaster was named the RTJ Jr. Tour 2005 Player of the Year after winning five RTJ Jr. Tour events. Lemaster also captured three high school medalist titles for Scottsboro High School in the spring of 2006 and finished 16th in the Class 5A State Tournament.

“Jarrod is a smart player,”said first-year Meridian head coach Sean Covich. “He has wonderful course management.”

Lemaster is busying himself this summer by playing in a lot of state golf events, including next weekend’s Future Masters Tournament in Dothan.

Lemaster’s varsity career at Scottsboro as a freshman, and head coach Stan Gibby said Lemaster’s work ethic has been second to none.

“He’s worked very hard the four years he’s been in our program. He’s committed a lot of time and expense playing in (tournaments in) the summer. We’re going to miss his leadership in our program.”

Meridian has a strong reputation of sending players on to NCAA Division I golf programs, something Lemaster says is one of his goals. Gibby thinks that’s possibable for Lemaster.

“He’s got a great opportunity to to get his education and and continue his golf career,” Gibby said. “The opportunity is there.”

sports(at)thedailysentinel.com

2005-2006 MCC Golf: Final Stats


Sean Covich
MCC Sports Information Director

The MCC Eagle golf team finished 3rd in the NJCAA Div. II Men’s Golf National Championship this season. The 2005-06 golf season was a very successful season for Coach Lou Hart and her Eagles. Not only did the Eagles finish 3rd in the nation, three sophomores signed to play at four year schools and one freshman was named NJCAA All-American. The “official” 2005-06 MCC golf team stats have been complied and are listed below:

Team Victories (6):
-MCC Rush/Redgate Invitational
-East Central MS Inv.
-Itawamba CC Inv
-Jones JC Inv.
-MACJC State Championship
-Region 23 Championship

Individual Medalist (5):
-Dustin Petit-66-69 (MACJC State Championship*)
-Dustin Petit-66-69 (Region XXIII Championship*)
-Jordy Hayden-69 (ECCC)
-Dustin Petit-71 (Itawamba)
-Jordy Hayden- 73 (MC Spring Inv.)
*Please note- MACJC State and Region XXIII Championships are played on the same days, but are two classified as seperate tournaments, played on the same days.

Individual Honors:

Justin Eaves
-NJCAA All American
-NJCAA All Tournament Team
-First Team All State and All Region
-All Tournament Team 4 times

Dustin Petit
-MACJC/Region 23 Medalist
-NCJAA All Tournament Team
-Medalist 2 times
-All Tournament Team 8 times

Jordy Hayden
-First Team All State and All Region
-Medalist 2 times
-All Tournament Team 5 times
-Signed with Troy University

Shane Parker
-Second Team All State
-All Tournament Team 6 times
-Signed with William Carey College

Matt Ellis
-First Team All State
-All Tournament Team 5 times
-Signed with Southern Illinois

Friday

Hart Makes It To Quarter-finals of MWGA



From combined reports
June 23, 2006


Former MCC head golf coach, Lou Hart made it to the quarter-finals of the MWGA State-Am by winning her 1st rd match vs. Leigh Phillips. Hart then advanced to Thursday morning to play Shannon Adams. The Adams/Hart match would go all 18 holes with Adams eventually emerging 1 up.

Adams would advance to play Thursday afternoon in the semi-finals match vs. 10-time State Am champ Cissye Gallagher. Gallagher defeated Shannon Adams 3 and 2, which sets up a final match with Meridian resident, Virginia Grimes.

Grimes, who will represent the U.S. in next month's international Curtis Cup matches, had to use 10 extra holes in her semi-final match to advance to the MWGA State-Am Championship match.

The final match is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at Castlewoods Country Club in Brandon, MS.

Thursday

Former MCC Golf Coach Wins Match

From combined reports
June 22, 2006


(BRANDON) Former MCC head golf coach, Lou Hart defeated Mississippi State University Lady golfer Leigh Phillips in the first round of the 2006 Mississippi State Amateur Golf Tournament. Phillips, a Meridian resident, had the lowest score in the qualifying round. Hart won the match 1 up. Hart advances to the second round of play Thursday.

The MWGA State Amateur is a match play format championship being played in Brandon at Castlewoods Country Club.

Hart has won the State Amateur nine times.

For more information on the 2006 MWGA State Am, please call Castlewoods CC at (601.992.1942).

Wednesday

Five MCC Athletes To Be Named NJCAA Academic All-American



MCC Sports Information Director
June 21, 2006


The Meridian Community College athletic department has nominated five of its student-athletes to the NJCAA Academic All-American list. MCC athletic director, Hilary Allen confirmed Monday morning that the following MCC student-athletes will be named NJCAA Academic All-American: Alejandro Alvarado, men’s soccer; Jackie Jones III, baseball; Sara Jurney, women’s soccer; Ann Marascalco, women’s tennis; and Cherish Roche, women’s basketball.

Academic All-Americans must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.60 or better on a 4.0 scale for 45 semester hours or 60 quarter hours. Distinguished Academic All-Americans must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.80 or better on a 4.0 scale for 45 semester hours or 60 quarter hours.

Roche and Jones will receive Distinguished Academic All-American status; Roche earned a perfect 4.0 GPA. Academic All-American status will be received by Alvarado, Jurney and Marascalco.

A list of Academic All-Americans will be released to each college with certificates for the award winners. The Distinguished Academic All-Americans will be listed in the JUCO Review and the 4.0 achievers will have their picture published in the JUCO Review.

McPhail Named Coach of the Year


MCC Sports Information Director
June 21, 2006

Meridian Community College men’s and women’s’ head tennis coach, Wanda McPhail, has been named one of the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) Community College Coaches of the Year. Along with four other community college coaches, Coach McPhail will be honored Friday, July 7th, 2006 in Jackson, MS at the MAC Coaches Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet.

Coach McPhail will receive the Community College Tennis Coach of the Year award from the MAC.

In 2006, McPhail led the MCC women’s tennis team to a fifth straight appearance in the NJCAA national championship tournament. McPhail’s squad also captured their fourth straight MACJC State/Region XXIII championships this past year. In addition to McPhail’s upcoming MAC coaching honor, she was named both the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges & Region XXIII Coach of the Year. The Lady Eagle tennis team finished 14th in the final NJCAA rankings.

In men’s tennis, McPhail led MCC to a fifth straight trip to the NJCA national championship tournament. The men’s tennis squad picked up MACJC/Region XXIII runner-up honors in 2006 and finished ranked 19th in the final NJCAA rankings.

MCC Tennis Signs Three Players


MCC Sports Information Director
June 20, 2006



Coach Wanda McPhial will sign three tennis players Tuesday, June 20th in the Ivy Sports Center. Laine Denuex, of Lithia Springs High School, Justin Newman, of Kosciusko High School, and William Blake Sherman, of West Jones High School, will sign to play tennis for MCC.

Denuex is a three time Douglasville (GA) County Player of the Year and a three time Lithia Spring High School tennis MVP. In addition to her MVP honors, Denuex was named captain of her high school tennis team her sophomore, junior and senior years. Denuex is also a two time champion of the Lost Mountain Junior Championship (Kennesaw, GA). Denuex was also a member of the cross country team in high school and was named captain and MVP of the team two years.

“Laine has a lot of tennis experience,” McPhail said. “She has been playing since she was four years old and has excellent fundamentals.”

Newman was a member of the Kosciusko varsity tennis team from his eighth grade season until graduation. In his sophomore season, Newman was named Most Improved Tennis Player at Kosciusko. During his junior campaign, Newman was awarded the MVP Tennis Award and the Golden Racket Award. In addition to his tennis honors, Newman was named to the honor roll, beta club, outstanding student list, academic all-star, and “Who’s Who” among high school students.

“Justin is very steady and consistent on the tennis court,” McPhail said. “He is a wonderful student and a well rounded individual."

Sherman is currently ranked sixth in Mississippi among junior tennis players. Sherman was a member of the Junior Davis Cup and competed in the Southern Closed 18’s. Sherman played tennis for West Jones and was letterman for six years. Sherman captured the District Tennis Championship 2004-2005. Sherman was also a member of the Beta club, Key club, Bible club, FCA and Future Leaders of Jones Co.

“Blake loves to play tennis,” McPhail said. “He’s going to be an outstanding player and also give us leadership on and off the court.”

Tuesday

Clarkdale Standout Signs With MCC



The Meridian Star
June 21, 2006

Meridian Community College softball coach Robert Eakins picked up a national letter-of-intent from Whitney Drachenberg of Clarkedale High School Tuesday during a signing ceremony in the Damon Fitness Center on the campus of MCC. Eakins, who is entering his 12th season as the head softball for the Lady Eagles, is proud to have Drachenberg join the team.

“Whitney will give us some stability of a having a full-time catcher which is something we did not have last season,” Eakins said. “She also brings the tools, excellent defensive skills and mental attitude to be an instant starter at this level.”

Drachenberg led Clarkdale’s fast-pitch softball team to a Class 2A state runnerup finish in her senior season and a state championship in her junior season, and she was also a slow-pitch standout for coach Rick Roberson in high school.

“Having received her basics from one of the premier program and coaches in the state at Clarkdale High School and coach Rick Roberson, Whitney will definitely bring some leadership to this area of our team,” Eakins said. “She possesses a quick and accurate arm and she’ll bring a great work ethic to our program which she will use to only get better.”

Drachenberg has been named to numerous all-star and all-state teams and she will be competing in the Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star game Saturday.

MCC Golf Picks Up Two Big Commitments

The Meridian Star
June 21, 2006


Meridian Community College golf coach, Sean Covich received commitments from two junior golfers last week. Jarrod Lemaster of Scottsboro, Ala. and Bryant Self of Tupelo have both verbally committed to the MCC golf program. Lemaster and Self will join four other freshmen as part of Covich’s inaugural recruiting class.

“Both of these players are extremely talented,” Covich said. “They have both played in Southeastern Junior Golf Tour events and have proven themselves against the regions best golfers. I am very excited that they have decided to become part of the MCC tradition.”

Lemaster is a product of Alabama’s famed Robert Trent Jones Junior Golf Tour. He was named the RTJ Junior Tour Player of the Year in 2005 and also captured three high school medalist titles for Scottsboro High School last spring.

“Jarrod is a smart player. He has wonderful course management,” Covich said. “Also, it doesn’t hurt that his home course is where the NJCAA national championship will be played next year.”

Self led Tupelo High School to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A golf championship his junior season. During his senior year, Self participated The Palmetto high school championship — a national event held in Myrtle Beach, S.C. — and captured third place out of nearly 400 high school golfers from around the nation.

“Bryant is a competitor out there. He’s going to give you all he has when he is playing,” Covich said. “He’s also a wonderful student. I look for him to be a leader in the classroom as well as on the golf course.”

Five MCC Eagles Picked In Major League Draft

From wire reports
June 08, 2006

Five members of the state champion Meridian Community College baseball team were chosen in the Major League baseball draft this week.

Right-handed pitcher Jordan Brown was the first taken. The Braves picked him in the 21st round.

The Washington Nationals took left-hander Michael Robbins in the 28th round, then selected first baseman Tyler Moore five rounds later.

Other Meridian CC players taken were left-hander Kendrick Martin (Florida Marlins, 28th round) and outfielder Michael Guerrero (Diamondbacks, 38th round).

A total of 10 Mississippi players picked on Day 2 came from the state’s junior-college ranks. Michael Beno of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College was the first Mississippian taken Wednesday when he was selected in the 19th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 563rd overall pick. Michael Ross of Northwest Mississippi Community College was taken by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 35th round.

Also, Holmes JC outfielder Gary Taylor went to the Cardinals in the 49th round and two junior college players went in the 50th round — Southwest Mississippi CC outfielder Jarrod Dyson (Kansas City Royals) and Hinds CC left-handed pitcher Thomas Jordan (Braves).

Meanwhile, the Colorado Rockies took Southern Miss. quarterback and wide receiver Damion Carter in the 46th round Wednesday, making him one of the more intriguing second-day selections in the baseball draft.

‘‘He’s a good athlete. We’ll see how he progresses over the summer,’’ Rockies scouting director Bill Schmidt said of Carter.

A total of 21 Mississippians were selected on Day 2, one day after 12 players were taken during the first 18 rounds. Justin Woodall of Lafayette High School was the first Mississippi high school player picked during Day 2 and second overall. The left-handed pitcher was taken in the 19th round by the New York Mets but has said he will play football at Alabama.

A third high school player, East Union right-hander Brendan Porch, went to the Atlanta Braves in the 32nd round.

Eight of the second-day picks came from the state’s Big Three colleges, including the first three Mississippi State players selected. Six players — three each from Ole Miss and Southern Miss — went on Day 1.

Bulldogs left-handed pitcher Brooks Dunn went in the 23rd round to the San Diego Padres, teammate Joseph Hunter was selected two rounds later by the Chicago White Sox and second baseman Jeffrey Rea was the 33rd-round pick of the Boston Red Sox.

Southern Miss right-hander Scott Massey was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 24th round, 22 rounds before Carter’s surprising selection.Carter caught 14 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns last season, his first full season at receiver. He started twice at quarterback in 2004, sparking the Golden Eagles’ 35-29 overtime victory over Houston. Carter, who hasn’t played competitive baseball since he was a senior three years ago at Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment by The Associated Press. He was a shortstop on the Newman team that won the Louisiana championship in 2003. The Rockies drafted him as an outfielder.

Ole Miss left-hander Tommy Baumgardner went to the Rockies in the 28th round. Righty Will Kline, who has told professional teams he will return to Ole Miss next season, was taken by the Houston Astros in the 39th round. Rebels catcher Justin Brashear was picked by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 44th round.

Alcorn State catcher Bradley Roper-Hubbert went to the Mets in the 32nd round.

MCC To Sign Trio Of Golfers


from combined reports
The Meridian Star
June 13, 2006

Newly named Meridian Community College golf coach Sean Covich will sign part of his inaugural recruiting class this afternoon in the Damon Fitness Center on the MCC campus.

Michael Burton and Ryan Hill of West Lauderdale High School will join Curt Sparks of Belmont High School as part of Covich’s inaugural recruiting class.

Covich, who assisted the MCC golf team to a third-place finish in the NJCAA National Championship, is excited about signing his first group of players.

“Two of these guys are local kids which really makes me proud because having them sign with our team continues to show that Meridian junior golf is one of the premier programs in this state,” Covich said. “Michael Burton and Ryan Hill played high school golf for West Lauderdale and are two outstanding young men that will certainly add a lot to our team. They will bring an excellent work ethic to our program.

“Curt is an accomplished player who brings a lot of tournament experience to the team,” Covich said. “He comes from a wonderful family which has a lot of great golfers in it.”

Burton was medalist in the 2005 Clarkdale High School Invitational and in 2006 he tied for first in both the Southeast High School Invitational and the Lauderdale County High School Tournament.

Hill won the 2006 Newton County High School Invitational.

Sparks has won three junior tour events in his career and was named to the 2005 Mississippi Junior Cup Team. Sparks also guided his high school golf team to back-to-back state championships in 2005-2006.

Burton, Hill and Sparks will join Quitman junior golfer Joshua Ivy in the fall. Retiring MCC coach Lou Hart signed Ivy in January.

Eagles Claim Third In Nation

By Marty Stamper / staff writer
The Meridian Star
May 28, 2006


Led by Justin Eaves’ four-day total of even-par 288, the Meridian Community College Eagles golf team finished third in the 2006 NJCAA Division II Men’s Golf Championship played at Goose Pond Colony in Scottsboro, Ala. Darton (Ga.) College won the national championship with a 7-under par 1,145.

MCC and Kirkwood (Iowa) Community College tied at 1,154, but the Iowans defeated the Eagles in sudden death to take second place.

“Going into the last round, Kirwood was leading us by four and Darton by two,” said outgoing MCC golf coach Lou Hart. “When the day ended, we were tied with Kirkwood for second and Darton had distanced themselves from the field. They shot 4-under on the last day. They had a great tournament. They played solid. They never had a round in the 60s, but they never had to count a 74 or 75 either. They clearly won the championship.

“We were pleased to tie for second, it was just disappointing to lose in the playoff.

“I told the kids all along that I was hoping for a Top 5 finish. If we really played good, we had a chance in the Top 3. And if we really, really, really played above our heads, we actually had a chance at the title and, to be honest, we did.

“The last round, we just had one score that was higher than we had been having to count. It wasn’t going to make a difference, as far as the championship, even if we shot a 72.”

Eaves was selected to the All-American team after placing 10th individually with a 76-hole even-par score. He closed out with a 3-under par 69 on Friday.

“Justin ended up second-team All-American and made the all-tournament team and Dustin Petit made the all-tournament team,” Hart said. “I was very proud for those two boys to do that well.”

Petit shot a four-day total of 290 to tie for 18th overall. Petit shot a 71 on Friday.

MCC’s Jordy Hayden had a final round of 72 and tied for 20th place with a 291.

Matt Ellis had a 79 on the found round and tied for 33rd with a 294 total.

Shane Parker closed out with an 81 and tied for 71st at 305.

This was MCC’s best finish in the NJCAA National Championship since 1998 when the Eagles finished second. With their third place finish this year, MCC has now finished in the Top 10 at the NJCAA seven times.

Tyler (Texas) Junior College was fourth at 1,155, while Walters State (Tenn.) Community College came in sixth at 1,169, edging Glendale (Ariz.) Community College by a single stroke. East Central Community College’s Paul McMillin tied for 101st as an 82 on the final day left him at 316, 28-over par for the tournament.

Eagles Lead National JuCo Golf Tourney After Two Rounds




By Rocky Higginbotham/ Meridian Star sports editor
Published: May 25, 2006


Sean Covich hasn't officially taken over as the head coach of the Meridian Community College golf team, and won't do so until June 1.

Earlier this week, he said he'd like nothing better than to send retiring coach Lou Hart out with a national championship.

So far, so good.

MCC fired a second-day team total of 4-under-par 284 Wednesday — jumping into first place overall at the halfway point of the NJCAA Men's Division II National Golf Championship.

"We're leading right now," said Covich, who is assisting Hart this week at the national tourney at Goose Pond Colony Golf Course in Scottsboro, Ala. "Hopefully, we can send Lou out with a championship."

MCC shot a 1-under-par 287 on the opening day Tuesday — a score which was good enough for fourth overall. After Wednesday's round, the Eagles are leading at 5-under, while Darton (Ga.) College is two shots back at 573. Walters (Tenn.) State is third at 1-under-par 575, while Kirkwood (Iowa) Community College and Tyler (Texas) Junior College are tied for fourth at 576. Sixth-place Mesa (Ariz.) Community College is 15 shots off the pace with a 586. There are 45 schools represented in all.

Individually, Meridian's Justin Eaves is in a five-way tie for fourth place with a 142. Eaves fired a 1-over 73 Tuesday, but came back with a 3-under 69 on Wednesday and is 2-under at 142.

Jordy Hayden is in a six-way tie for 15th place on a crowded leaderboard after shooting 71-73-144.

Dustin Petit (71-74-145), Matt Ellis (78-68-146) and Shane Parker (72-78-150) have also put up impressive numbers in the first two days — with Ellis' 68 on Wednesday being the low round for MCC thus far.

Justin Engel of Tyler is leading with a 4-under-par 140. He shot a 71 Tuesday and a 69 Wednesday.

Paul McMillan, a high school teammate of MCC's Eaves at Winston Academy in Louisville, is tied for 98th overall while playing as an individual for East Central Community College. McMillin shot a 75 Tuesday and an 83 Wednesday and is 14-over.

This is the second straight year for the national tourney to be hosted by Goose Pond. MCC finished fifth a year ago, and the Eagles' best finish ever was their national runner-up performance of 1998.

Eagles Win Another State/Region Golf Title

By Rocky Higginbotham / sports editor
The Meridian Star
April 29, 2006

It’s been a championship kind of week at Meridian Community College. Three days after the school’s women’s tennis team captured a fourth straight MACJC State/NJCAA Region 23 Tournament title — coach Lou Hart’s golf squad did a little repeating of its own.

MCC blistered the field at Hillandale Country Club in Corinth earlier this week, shooting a season-low 8-under par 560 as a team to win yet another Division II state and region championship. Hart said it was the lowest team score recorded by an MCC team in the past 12 years. It also qualified the Eagles for the NJCAA national championship tournament set for May 23-26 at Scottsboro, Ala.

Meridian’s Dustin Petit was crowned the medalist and the MACJC Player of the Year after firing a two-day total of 7-under-par 135. Petit shot a 66 on the first day and was 2-under at 71 on the second day.

Teammates Justin Eaves, Jorday Hayden and Matt Ellis were all first-team all-state and all-region selections after picking up all-tournament honors, while Shane Parker was a second-team all-state selection. Eaves shot 69-72-141, while Hayden fired 70-71-141. Ellis, who on Friday signed with Southern Illinois, shot 73-72-145 and Parker shot 71-76-147.

Chase Williams of Northeast and Drew Goff of Gulf Coast rounded out the all-tourney team.

Last year, MCC won the state and region titles by 18 strokes. This time, the Eagles were 15 strokes better than their nearest competitors — arch-rival Gulf Coast.

The Bulldogs were second with a two-day total of 575, while Hinds was 46 shots back in third place with a 596. East Central Community College was fifth overall with a 297-305-602 score, while East Mississippi was 11th with 354-341-695. ECCC was led by Paul McMillian, who shot 74-71-145. Arick Ellis followed with 70-79-149; Jess Dilley shot 74-78-152; Colby Amis shot 79-77-156; and Tommy Harthcock shot 80-87-167. EMCC was led by Blake Smith’s 84-80-164. Chris Oubre shot 84-83-167; Brandon Bledledge shot 92-87-179; and Kyle Davis shot 94-91-185.

Southwest won the Division III state and region crowns.