Story by JASON STRICKLAND, Sports Editor—

Cold and rainy conditions on Tuesday shortened the MIAA Golf Championships to two rounds instead of three, so the Mules’ second place spot after day one ended up being the final result.

Central Oklahoma won the tournament title by 18 strokes. Positions two through six were within 18 strokes of each other.

“That happens,” said head coach Tim Poe. “Any team can do that. Go out and really post a good number and it only lasts for a round or two.”

Central was ranked fourth in last week’s regional rankings, so it is a near lock to be one of the 10 teams to be selected to the regional that is May 6-8 in Kenosha, Wis.

Central Oklahoma was ranked No. 1, so they are the favorite to be the one-seed.

“If we’re playing our very best golf and they’re playing their very best golf, I think we can play right with them,” Poe said. “They played extremely well in that first round, and we just played good.”

Poe said he was glad to see his team have quality shots late in the rounds.

“That’s kind of been our nemesis most of the year,” Poe said. “We are starting off well, but just not finishing. I was real proud of how we got started and hung in there and finished.”

The Mules have two freshmen, one redshirt freshman and two sophomores competing at tournaments, but Poe said they are getting used to this level of play.

“I just feel like they are starting to get comfortable, and that’s the key,” he said. “Most of these kids play pretty well, but being comfortable in that situation is what you hope they can do.”