Highlanders finish fifth in district tourney, qualify for 15th consecutive national tournament

The McLennan Highlanders shot 302-293-296 – 891 to finish in fifth place at the NJCAA District 2 Championship at the par-71, 6,977-yard Diamondback Golf Club in Abilene.

Tyler finished in first place with 289-293-280 – 862, followed by Midland in second with 297-280-289 – 866 and Odessa in third with 290-289-289 – 868.

Ryan Brown shot 76-68-72 – 216 to lead the Highlanders, finishing in seventh place individually and earning all-tournament honors. Adam Blomme of Odessa finished atop the individual leaderboard with 68-74-69 – 211.

Other team scores: Kade Miller, tied for 22nd, 79-72-72 – 223; medalist Tyler Uhlig, tied for 22nd, 75-76-72 – 223; Micah Goulas, tied for 26th, 76-77-73 – 226; Alex Isakson, tied for 35th, 76-76-79 – 231; Judd Tilson, tied for 38th, 74-79-79 – 232;

Scores from this tournament are combined with scores from the NJCAA Southwest Championship to determine the qualifiers for the national tournament. Midland (905-866 – 1,771), Odessa (911-868 – 1,779), Western Texas (900-895 – 1,795) and McLennan (905-891 – 1,796) will represent District 2 May 16-19 at Buffalo Dunes Golf Course in Garden City, Kansas. The Highlanders are the defending NJCAA Division I National Champions and will be competing in their 15th consecutive national tournament.