DRAGONS RALLY TO TIE FOR 7TH-STRAIGHT TEAM TITLE
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
MONKEY ISLAND, Oklahoma – The Hutchinson Community College men's golf team went from protecting a 15-stroke lead to having to come from behind in the last few holes on Tuesday to extend its winning streak to seven-straight tournaments on Tuesday.
The NJCAA No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons got a late surge and tied Oklahoma Christian University for the team title at the Missouri Southern Fall Classic at Shangri La Country Club in Monkey Island, Oklahoma.
Dating back to the Texas A&M-Commerce Lion Invitational on March 22 and 23, the Blue Dragons have won or shared seven-consecutive team titles, which extends a Blue Dragon record.
Blue Dragon sophomore and 2021 NJCAA first-team All-American Harry Crockett tied for the MSSU individual championship with Oklahoma Christian's Mateo Pulcini at 3-under 213. Crockett won his third career tournament.
Entering the final round, the Blue Dragons had a solid 15-stroke lead over Oklahoma Christian and Rogers State, but a rough start to Tuesday's final round aided in that lead disappearing quickly.
Hutchinson's lead was down to six strokes after nine holes. Oklahoma Christian then shredded holes 10 through 18 at a combined clip of 9-under par to take a three-stroke lead over the Blue Dragons through 15 holes.
The Blue Dragons were able to hold it together late and the four players who counted toward the team score on Tuesday made some huge putts late.
Ben Partridge, who was 5-over par for the through 13 holes, had birdies on 3 of his final 5 holes, including a key birdie on No. 18. Freshman Dominic Clemons was 3-over through nine holes, but played his final nine in 3-under to finish at even par for the round. Sophomore Cameron Rios-Ceballos also had a key birdie on No 18.
Crockett, who had two eagles in his round on Tuesday, eagled No. 16 and made par at No. 18, while Oklahoma Christian's Alejandro Amijo double-bogeyed his final hole to pull the Eagles back even with the Blue Dragons.
Hutchinson and Oklahoma Christian tied for the team title with 54-hole scores of 864. The Blue Dragons shot 8-over 296, while Oklahoma Christian shot 7-under 281. Henderson State and Rogers State tied for third at 878.
Crockett wound up with an even-par 72 to tie with Pulcini for individual honors. Pulcini shot a 5-under 67 to rally for his share of the title.
Partridge rebounded from a tough start to shoot 74 for the final round and finish in a three-way tie for sixth at even-par 216. One of the players Partridge tied was former Blue Dragon and current Missouri Southern individual player Trey McCrae, a member of Hutchinson's 2021 national championship team.
Clemons, Rios-Ceballos and freshman Blake Saffell all tied for 35th at 8-over 224.
Clemons posted his best single round of the tournament, finishing with an even-par 72. Rios-Ceballos shot a 78 and Saffel finish with an 82 on Tuesday.
Blue Dragon individual golfers Finn Nelson shot a final-round 77 on Tuesday and finished tied for 74th at 233.
The Blue Dragons will be at the Ryan Palmer Classic next Monday and Tuesday in Amarillo, Texas