Published: October 15, 2008 09:02 am      

RLC’s Griffin 4th at National Preview

Rend Lake College

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Rend Lake College sophomore Leroy David Griffin shot par to finish fourth at the par-72, 7,192-yard NJCAA DI National Championship Preview, Oct. 12-14, at Hampton Cove in Huntsville, Ala.

“This is the best in the country,” RLC head coach Dave Smith said of the caliber of competition.

Only three division II schools were invited to compete. RLC finished 14th with a 914 (301-305-308), Region 24 rival John A. Logan College finished last with a 944 (324-308-312) and Darton Community College — winner of the NJCAA DII Championship four out of the last five years — finished in a tie for first place with an 874 (294-286-294).

It was a tremendous tournament for Griffin (Effingham) who finished even with a 216 (70-72-74) and was backed up by Ryan Keller, a sophomore from Nashville who finished in a tie for 35th place with a 227 (76-72-79). RLC’s Eijah Sentel (Benton) shot a 231 (72-80-79) for 50th, Jared Harp (Benton) tied for 83rd with 245 (83-86-76), and Tanner Spicuzza (McLeansboro) shot 249 (87-81-81) to tie for 86th.

“That’s not too bad,” Smith said. “That’s about as good as it gets. These are the very best of any junior college in the country.”

The tournament takes place about seven months before the DI teams will meet again at Hampton Cove to go for the title.

Lon Morris CC tied with Darton and Western Texas CC finished third with an 11-over 875.

The Warriors will play in their final tournament, this side of 2009, next Monday at the Mississippi Gulf Coast CC Fall Intercollegiate Invitational in Gulfport, Miss.