High Flying Eagles

MCC freshman claims national title, team finishes in 2nd

from staff reports
The Meridian Star

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. —Meridian Community College freshman standout Brandt Garon etched his name in MCC golf history Friday as he became the school’s first NJCAA national champion.

After Friday’s play was suspended due to rain, Garon, from Baton Rogue, La., was two shots ahead of the field of 120 golfers at 5-under-par for the first three days (71-72-68). Meanwhile, the rainout at the 2010 NJCAA Division I National Championship left MCC just nine shots back of a team national title. The Eagles finished as the runners-up — the highest finish in Division I history for the school and tied for the best finish at second place (the 1998 team finished second in Division II).

The Eagles finished at 4-over 869 (289-291-289); McLennan Community College of Texas defended its national title by finishing at 5-under as a team for the three days.

"This was an incredible experience," said MCC head golf coach Sean Covich. "I wish we could have played (Friday) and seen if we could have won, but it was a great accomplishment for the team and for Brandt. We brought home a national champion to Meridian … and that's special."

Twenty-two teams from across the country competed in the event played at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail- Hampton Cove.

Garon was named a Golf Coaches Association of America First Team All-American, a NJCAA First Team All-American and he was named to the National Championship All-Tournament Team as well as given the Arnold Palmer Award for being the NJCAA medalist.

“Everyone pulled their weight this week and this honor was as much a team honor as an individual honor for me,” Garon said Friday. “It would have been very tough to come back but we would have loved to have had a chance to play (Friday) and make a run. But we’re super excited. I can’t thank God enough; I can’t thank my family enough. It’s a great honor.”

Sophomore Garrett Westbrook finished at 2-over-par (72-73-73) and was named NJCAA All-American for the second time and was named to the National Championship All-Tournament Team.

Joining Garon and Westbrook on the All-Tournament Team was Eagle sophomore Cory Williamson, who shot 3-over-par (71-71-77).

Nick Hawkes finished at 8-over, shooting 77-75-72, while Clemens Dvorak finished with 10-over, shooting 75-75-76.