MCC golfers earn All State awards, look for forth straight title

Four Meridian Community College golfers have been named to the Mississippi Association of Community/Junior Colleges All State golf team.

Eagle sophomore Jarrod Lemaster and freshmen Jarrod Moulds and Joe Konieczny were named to the MACJC first team All State.

Rounding out the first team is Matt Hungerman of Mississippi Gulf Coast and T. Oakley of Northwest Mississippi.

MCC freshman, Clay Bounds, was named to the second team All State. Joining Bounds on the second team is Zak Holloway of East Mississippi, Brett Holmes of Mississippi Gulf Coast, Adam Porter of Pearl River, and Cory Ward of Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Mississippi Gulf Coast’s Stone Thames was named the Hubert Tucker MACJC Player of the Year with a 74.8 scoring average throughout the MACJC season.

Lemaster, a starter during MCC’s run to a third place finish in the national championship last year, led MCC in scoring this spring season with a 75.8 scoring average. He was also named to three All Tournament teams this spring during the MACJC events. For his career, Lemaster was named to six All Tournament teams.

Moulds, a former standout at Lamar, had MCC’s second best spring season scoring average with a 76.2. This spring, Moulds became the first Eagle golfer to win a medalist title since 2006, when he captured the Kirkwood National Invitational with rounds of 74-72.

Konieczny, a transfer from Mississippi State, had MCC’s third best spring season scoring average with a 76.3. This year, Konieczny has been named to four All Tournament teams, which ranks as the most on the team

Bounds, like Moulds, is a former Lamar standout. He posted MCC’s fourth best spring scoring average with a 78. This year, Bounds has posted a team best five rounds of even-par or lower.

“I’m proud for the guys and glad that they are being recognized as some of the best college golfers in the state,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

“Everyone has had their “low” tournament round- Clay shot 67 in Muscle Shoals, Joe shot 70 at Briarwood, Jarrod (Moulds) shot 71 in Destin, and Jarrod (Lemaster) shot 71 at Forest. So now, with the State/Region left- we have to find a way to do it all in the same round.”

MCC is now preparing for the MACJC State/Region 23 championship tournament on April 28-29, to be hosted by East Central at Forest Country Club.

Although MCC has only captured one tournament championship this season, the Eagles have also garnered some close calls with six top three finishes, which includes four runners-up.

“Gulf Coast is the team to beat this year in the MACJC for sure,” said Covich.

“In my tenure here they are 2-0 against us at Forest CC and we haven’t beaten them outright this season yet. Tied them and won on a scorecard playoff at Kirkwood,” added Covich.

“But having said all that, it feels refreshing to enter the State/Region with no pressure on us. Gulf Coast knows they are the favorite, as well they should be with the top two golfers in the state, so my guys feel like we can play without being tense and looking over our shoulder.”

MCC, the owner of 11 of the past 17 regional titles and four of the last five state titles, will be trying for a school-record fourth consecutive State/Region crown.

“Coach Redgate and Coach Hart each won the Region 23 three years in a row, but we haven’t done it four straight before,” said Covich.

MCC will compete with just two sophomores in the five man line-up: Bryant Self will join Lemaster as the two veterans in the Eagles starting five, while Bounds, Konieczny and Moulds will round out the MCC squad playing as freshmen.

MCC will also be hosting their annual Alumni & Friends Scramble on April 25th at NAS-Ponta Creek. For more information on the event, please call Coach Sean Covich at 601-484-8663.