Denver and CSU-Pueblo Vie to Advance in NCAAs

Going into Wednesday’s final round, both teams look strong.

By Jon Rizzi

The men’s college golf season is winding to a close. The question for Colorado’s teams, will it end today, tomorrow, Friday, next week or June?

DIVISION I

In NCAA DI Regional action, the University of Denver and Colorado State University teams find themselves playing in different regions and heading in different directions.

DU PIONEERS

After the second round of the Stockton, Cal. Regional, DU sat at 13-under par, one shot out of fifth and three out of third. Only the top five advance to Nationals in NCAA Men’s Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, May 27-June 1.

Carson Griggs, a senior from Sand Springs, Okla., leads the team with a 7-under (69-68-137). He also sits in a six-way tie at the top of the individual leaderboard. Jackson Solem (3-under), John Sand (1-under) and Esteban Missura (even) round out the top four. Click here for live results.

CSU RAMS

After a promising Monday first round, Colorado State had a tough go of it in round two at Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Tex.. With the winds picking up and scores increasing across the board, the Rams combined for a 15-over par 303, dropping two spots to 10^th. After going 1-under on Monday, Connor Jones, the medalist in the Mountain West Conference championship, shot an 8-over 80.

The Rams went into Wednesday’s action 19 shots behind the fifth-place and final team to advance. Barring an epic rally, Christoph Bleier (1-under), Davis Bryant (4-over), Jones (7-over) and Gavin Hagstrom (10-over) will not be heading to Arizona for Nationals. Click here for updates.

DIVISION II

In the NCAA Division II National Finals, the Colorado State University-Pueblo ThunderWolves are riding the euphoria of having edged Colorado Mesa University for the school’s first regional championship. Both Colorado teams qualified for Nationals in Dearborn, Mich.

CSUP THUNDERWOLVES

Playing at the TPC of Michigan, the ThunderWolves found themselves tied with Central Missouri University for third place (16-over) after 36 holes of play. Comprised of four players from the UK (Jamie Roberts, Andrew Ni, Liam Duncan and Matt Millar) and Jeff Nelson of Commerce City, CSUP entered the third round at 16-over. In a tightly bunched field, the team is two shots behind the first-place University of Indianapolis and only four shots ahead of the eighth-place Oklahoma Christian.

Only the top eight teams advance to match/medal play stage, with the lowest team score advancing until a champion is declared. Follow the action here.

CMU MAVERICKS

After losing in the Regionals by one stroke to CSUP, the Mavericks started Wednesday 28 shots behind the ThunderWolves and 17^th in a field of 20 teams. Timmy Cavarno, the number-5 player on the team, has made his scores count. At 7-over, one shot better than number-1 player Peter Grossenbacher, Cavarno has the lowest two-day score on the team, and is tied for 37^th place overall. Follow the action here.

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