BLUE DRAGONS 5TH AFTER 2 ROUNDS IN TEXAS

CLICK FOR COMPLETE TANKLOGIC TEAM AND PLAYER LEADERBOARDS

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

MIDLAND, Texas – Playing its final tune-up before opening the Jayhawk Conference season in two weeks, the No. 3-ranked Hutchinson Community College men's golf team is battling it out against many of the NJCAA Division I Top 10 this week at the TankLogic Collegiate.

The Blue Dragon posted rounds of 280 and 283 on Tuesday at the Par 70 Ranch Hills Golf Club and are fifth after 36 holes at 563. The Blue Dragons are 16 shots off the pace of No. 1 Midland, which shot 547 (277-290). No. 4 Odessa is second at 557 (274-283). No. 8 New Mexico Junior College is third at 560 (185-175) and No. 5 Indian Hills is fifth at 562 (293-279).

The final round is Wednesday morning in Midland.

Sophomore Ben Partridge started the day off right for the Blue Dragons with a 5-under 65 to lead Hutchinson in the opening round. Harry Crockett and Addison Alonzo both shot 71s, while Blake Saffell and Dominic Clemons both shot 73s.

Alonzo led the Blue Dragons in the afternoon round with a career-low 69. The Dragons also counted an even-par 72 by Crockett and 72s from Partridge and Saffel.

Three Blue Dragons are in a tightly packed Top 20 after two rounds.

Partridge (65-72) is in a three-way with Midland's Adam Coull and New Mexico's Matthis Lefevre at 3-under 173. Midland's Gregor Graham has a two-stroke lead at 5-under 135. Only six strokes separate No. 1 and No. 20.

Alonzo is tied for 12th at 140 (71-69). Crockett is tied for 17th at 141 (71-70).

Saffell is tied for 37th at 145 (73-72). Clemons is tied for 53rd at 148.

Individual player Finn Nelson had a huge turnaround from the first to second rounds. Nelson shot an 80 in the first round, but rallied to shoot 72 in the afternoon round. Nelson is tied for 65th at 152.