NEWTON, Kan. – Behind a top-five finish from
Ryan Morant, Northeastern State took third place at the Newman Invitational Tuesday with an 898 (297-305-296).
The RiverHawks staged a mid-final round rally and managed to climb to second and was striking distance of its second consecutive team win. A four-over in the final two holes backslid the team to third.
Northeastern State would finish two strokes back of Missouri Southern and five back of Concordia-St. Paul.
Setting the stage for the MIAA Regular Season Championship, the late drop to third behind Southern keeps the RiverHawks in third place in the standings with 17 points. After two MIAA-designated events, Missouri Southern leads with 19, and Washburn is second with 17.5 points.
"Every point matters, both team and individual," said head coach
Scott Varner. "Proud of their fight to the finish and almost climbed Everest on those last six holes."
Morant shot a three-under on the back nine of the Sand Creek Station Golf Course and left tied for fourth place with a 221 (73-75-73). The senior led the RiverHawks with 35 pars and his second career top-five at NSU.
Christian Yanovitch earned his second consecutive top-ten finish shooting a 224 (77-75-72). He had the second most birdies in the field with ten and had the RiverHawks' low round in the afternoon.
Gabe Replogle was tied for 15th place, shooting 226 (71-78-77), and
Carlos Gomez had a 228 (76-78-74), putting the senior tied for 20th overall.
Northeastern State will close its fall season on October 24-25 in Tulsa.
