Bound for Blaine

ALLENDALE, Mich. --- Josh Boswell and Sam Powell came in at even-par 71 to lead Northeastern State (OK) to a second place finish in the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Midwest/South Central Super Regional at The Meadows Golf Course. The RiverHawks fired a final round 293, and their 54-hole total of 865 was just six shots behind champion Wayne State, (Mich.).

However, Northeastern State earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships, which will be played May 19-22, at Loomis Trail Golf Club in Blaine, Wash. Joining Wayne State and Northeastern State are Central Missouri State, Ferris State and Indianapolis. CMSU had an 871, while Ferris and Indianapolis were tied for fourth at 875. The RiverHawks are the only Lone Star Conference team to qualify. Texas A&M-Commerce finished the event in 7th, Central Oklahoma was 10th and Abilene Christian was 19th.

Wayne State's Steve Cuzzort took home medalist honors by leading wire-to-wire for a sterling 7-under-par 206. Justin Hueber of Indianapolis was runner-up at 210.

Somewhat higher scores greeted all teams in the final round with the RiverHawks carving out the fourth lowest score of the day. Trailing WSU by 10 shots with 18 holes to go, Northeastern State began the day by going +7 on the first hole (two double bogeys and three bogeys). However, the team settled in, somewhat, and as the day progressed, Wayne State's lead began to deteriorate. The Warriors shot their worst round of the tournament, 13-over-par, but never let its advantage get to more than six strokes.

Boswell, from Wagoner, Okla., finished the individual race in a tie for sixth place at 215, while Coweta's Powell was tied for ninth at 216. Boswell overcame a double-bogey on the first hole to make the turn at even-par. He was one-over-par midway through the back nine before picking up a birdie on the par-4, 15th hole. He had pars on the last three holes to preserve the score of 71.

Powell also shrugged off a shaky start. The senior bogeyed No. 1, but had back-to-back birdies on holes 5 and 6 to turn at one-under-par 35. Bogeys at 11 and 13 put him one-over before he picked up a birdie on No. 18 to card his 71.

Northeastern State's other scores included Blake Walker at 74, Jeff Cox with a 77 and Kevin King with a 78.

Brooks Herrick, of Bellarmine , and Washburn's Matt Ewald also qualified for next week's NCAA Champilonships as the top individuals who did not advance on a team. Herrick tied for fourth overall with an even-par 213 and Ewald tied for sixth at 215.

Complete results from Golfstat can be viewed by clicking here.