History Made – Mside advances to final two rounds

SILVIS, ILL. – Over two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 17-18, Morningside University found itself in a spot it had never been at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Championships.

Head coach Nick Wanderscheid's men's golf squad fired a 285 during round one and then battled early-day weather elements towards a second round 292. A 36-hole 577 might have gone for naught, though, if not for a gritty final three holes on Tuesday. 

"We were slipping and sliding down the team leaderboard for a while," Wanderscheid noted. "The weather was rough early on. We didn't get off to a good start, though."

"What I saw on holes 16 through 18 was remarkable," he added. "We were right around eight under as a team – securing the chance to play the final two rounds. There was a huge sense of relief as the guys got a monkey off their back." 

A pair of seniors guided the Mustangs' opening round charge to the program's first made nationals cut. At the forefront was Jonny Douglas (Newcastle upon Tyne, England). Douglas' first 18 64, at the time, was a national championships record. It had him tied for the individual lead. On day two, despite the rainy conditions along the Mississippi River, he hung tough with an even-par 71, placing him fifth and only four strokes out of first. 

"When Jonny is in a zone, he has no conscience," Wanderscheid observed. "He can rip off consecutive birdies at any time. He struggled a little in the second round, but this course can be played for low scores. Another streak like he had during the first round, and you never know what might happen."

Douglas' classmate, Sam Storey, also found himself among the top 30. The Surrey, England, native carded scores of 70-72 to sit even over 36 holes, suitable for a tie for 26^th.

"I told the guys afterward, 'Hey, let's celebrate a little, but we still have two rounds to go,'" Wanderscheid said. "We didn't come here just to make the cut. We want to finish as high as we can."

Morningside's national championship appearance continues Thursday, May 19, at TPC Deere Run.