BOX, DRAGONS SET PACE AT NATIONAL PREVIEW

Charlie Box watches a chip onto the green of hole No. 2 in Thursday's second round of the NJCAA National Preview at Sand Creek Station in Newton. (Steve Carpenter/Blue Dragon Sports Information)

October 24, 2024

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

NEWTON – Hutchinson Community College sophomore Charlie Box took Mother Nature's best shot Thursday and built a seven-stroke lead after 36 holes of the NJCAA National Preview at Sand Creek Station.

Playing in gusty 25-30 mph wins, Box powered the Blue Dragons to a 13-stroke lead after two rounds on Thursday on the same course that will play host to the 2025 NJCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships next May.

The Blue Dragons posted a 36-hole total of 12-over 588. Hutchinson had rounds of 292 and 296 on Thursday. The Dragons lead No. 8-ranked McLennan, which shot a 25-over 601 (295-301).

BLUE DRAGON MEN'S GOLF
NJCAA National Preview
When: Friday, October 25, 2024
Where: Sand Creek Station, Newton, KS
Round: 3
Tee times: 8:30 a.m. (shotgun start)
Live Results: scoreboard.clippd.com

Jayhawk Conference teams own 3 of the top 4 spots in the team standings. Dodge City is third after two round at 28-over 604 (293-311) and Garden City is fourth at 30-over 606 (301-305).

Hutchinson, McLennan, Dodge City and Garden City will be paired together in Tuesday's final round, which is an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.

Also in the 15-team field is No. 3 Odessa, No. 4 Indian Hills, No. 5 New Mexico Junior College, No. 7 Western Texas and No. 10 Weatherford.

Box was the only player to shoot two rounds under par in the windy conditions. The Blue Dragon sophomore had five birdies and two bogeys in the opening round, including a birdie on the final hole of the round to post a 69. Box had seven birdies, a bogey and one double bogey in his second-round 68.

Teammate Jaydon Carruthers is in second place after griding out a pair of even-par 72s on Thursday. The Blue Dragon freshman had three birdies and three bogeys in the first round and had four birds, two bogeys and a double-bogey in the afternoon round.

Sophomore Louis Ross is tied for 17th at nine-over 153. Ross posted rounds of 75 and 78 on Thursday.

Sophomore David Razinskas is tied for 21st with a 36-hole total of 154. Razinskas had rounds of 76 and 78.

Freshman Jack Northgraves had rounds of 77 and 82 for a 159, which is tied for 42nd.

The Blue Dragons had two individual players in the field of 80 players.

Freshman Tyler Walker is tied for 29th at 156 (76-80). Cal Schultz is tied for 55th at 163 (83-80).