Highlanders finish third in district tourney, qualify for 14th consecutive national tournament

The McLennan Highlanders shot 271-262 – 533 to finish in third place at the NJCAA District 2 Championship at the par-70, 6,564-yard Diamondback Golf Club in Abilene.

Tyler finished in first place with 270-258 – 528, followed by Midland in second with 272-257 – 529.

Cory Donnell (67-65 – 132), Drew Dewald (69-63 – 132) and medalist Brandon Schafer (66-66 – 132) led the Highlanders and finished tied for sixth place.

Other McLennan scores: Ryan Brown, tied for 15th, 66-68 – 134; Blake Stock, tied for 23rd, 71-66 – 137; Ryan Johnson, tied for 26th, 69-69 – 138; and medalist Tyler Uhlig, tied for 34th, 72-68 – 140.

Other team scores: Western Texas, fourth, 276-259 – 535; Odessa, fifth, 267-272 – 539; New Mexico, sixth, 280-272 – 552; Ranger, seventh, 283-271 – 554; Paris, eighth, 287-274 – 561; New Mexico Military, ninth, 281-281 – 562; and Jacksonville, 10th, 297-283 – 580.

Scores from this tournament are combined with scores from the NJCAA Southwest Championship to determine the qualifiers for the national tournament. Midland (890-529 – 1,419), Odessa (890-539 – 1,429), McLennan (900-533 – 1,433), Western Texas (904-535 – 1,439) and Ranger (927-554 – 1,481) will represent District 2 May 17-20 at the Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, Florida. This is the 14th consecutive year McLennan has qualified for the national championship.