MCC returns to action in the prestigious Red Wolf Intercollegiate

(MERIDIAN) - Fresh off their thrilling victory at the Lou Hart Invitational, the Meridian Community College golf team returns to action this Monday and Tuesday at the Arkansas State University Red Wolf Intercollegiate in Jonesboro, AR.

18 teams are participating in the 54-hole event being contested at Ridge Point Country Club. 17 of the 18 teams, including host Arkansas State, are NCAA Division I teams. MCC is the only junior college team invited to this event.

"This is the second year in a row that we've been invited and I think that says a lot about our program and our players," said fifth year head coach Sean Covich.

"It is a great opportunity not only to compete against NCAA teams but also for our players to be recruited for the next level."

Following last year’s ASU Red Wolf Intercollegiate, then-MCC sophomore Cory Williamson signed with Arkansas State. Currently, Williamson is a starter for the Red Wolves.

This week the Eagles will start freshman, Jake Stirling, in the No. 1. The Melbourne, Australia native is ranked as the third best junior college golfer in the country, according to GolfStat.com. He leads the team with a 72.0 scoring average and has posted 13 rounds of even-par or better this season.

Defending NJCAA national champion, Brandt Garon, will play in the No. 2 spot. The sophomore from Baton Rouge has won four events during his Eagle career, including two this season. He has committed to play for the University of Louisiana-Lafayette next season.

Freshman Alex Grannon, from Kiln, MS, returns to the Eagle line-up this week in the No. 3 spot.

Sophomore Adam Monsen will start in the No. 4 for MCC. The San Antonio, TX native has won two tournaments during his time at MCC. He is scheduled to sign with the University of Louisiana-Monroe later this month.

Meridian native Easton Key will round out the Eagle line-up in the No. 5 spot. The freshman standout from Lamar has been battling kidney stones this past week, but made a dramatic putt to clinch the Lou Hart Invitational for MCC on Tuesday.

“Easton showed a lot of heart this week,” said MCC head coach Sean Covich.

“He fought though the pain to help us win at Northwood and he didn’t complain when he had to qualify this week. He stepped up and did what he had to do.”

“This tournament will be huge for the three freshmen (Grannon, Key, and Stirling). They can get their names out there and impress some of these NCAA DI coaches this week.”

This will be MCC's last regular season event before beginning NJCAA post-season action at the District IV championship April 18-19. The NJCAA Division I National Championship is slated for May 17-20 in Odessa, TX. The Eagles were runners-up in last season’s District IV and National championships.