JOPLIN, MO – No. 8 Walters State continued to move up the leaderboard on Thursday afternoon in the third round of the NJCAA DII Championship at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.

On Thursday, the Senators shot a 305, 17-over, to put them at 67-over for the tournament. That puts them in 10th place, a five-spot jump from Wednesday. Walters State has jumped eight spots in rounds two and three. 

South Mountain CC is in first place at 20-over but are just a few holes into their third round. The round was stopped for nine teams due to darkness and will be picked up on Friday. 

Nate Vaughan once again led the way for the Senators with a one-over, 73, to put him in a tie for 34th place at 11-over for the tournament. Vaughan birdied holes five and nine in the round.

Along with Vaughan, Sawyer Spoone shot a one-under on the back nine to finish at three-over for the round. Spoone birdied holes 14 and 16 and is at 20-over for the tournament and a tie for 67th place. 

AJ Rinehart is also tied for 67th with Spoone at 20-over after a six-over, 78, in round three. Rinehart birdied holes six, eight and 17.

Rounding out the scoring was Jeremy Ellis (T-54) and Hunter Hartman (T-97). After a back-and-forth round, Ellis finished strong with back-to-back-to-back birdies on 15,16, and 17. He shot a seven-over on the day and birdied hole six, as well. He is at 17-over for the tournament. 

Hartman shot a 10-over, 82, on Thursday to put him at 30-over for the tournament. Hartman birdied holes 10 and 17. 

Glendale CC's Matthew Creighton is in first place at four-under. He is nine holes through round three. 

Up Next:

Due to weather and a late start on Thursday, the tournament will be cut down following the third round. The Senators will await their fate after the completion of the third round on Friday morning. 

Rob Harvey

Walters State Community College

Sports Information Director

Cell: (423) 779-8880

Email: sportsinfo@ws.edu

Website: www.ws.edu/athletics