HOLLY SPRINGS – The Copiah-Lincoln Community College golf teamcaptured their first-ever Mississippi Association of Community andJunior College’s (MACJC) Division II State Championship Tuesday atKirkwood National Golf Club in Holly Springs. The Wolfpack, coachedby Ronny Ross, shot a 2-day total of 329-326 – 655, 11 shots aheadof second place Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (336-330 -666). Golfers braved high winds and low temperatures that sentscores soaring.

East Mississippi finished third (334-335 – 669), NortheastMississippi fourth (336-334 – 670) and Hinds fifth (333-338 – 671).The top five teams will compete in the NJCAA Region 23 GolfChampionship at the Mississippi State Golf Course in StarkvilleApril 27-28.

“I’m extremely proud of our kids because we’ve been working hardall year to get to this point,” said Co-Lin head golf coach RonnyRoss. “I am so excited that we can bring Co-Lin their firstDivision II state championship. I want to thank Coach (Gwyn) Youngand Dr. (Ronnie) Nettles for allowing me to get our program on thesame level as the other successful Division II schools.”

Hinds’s Elliott Bingham shot a final round 79 to take medalisthonors (79-79 – 158), one shot ahead of Co-Lin’s Derin Petite ofGonzales, La. (76-83 – 159). Joining Bingham and Petite on theAll-Tournament team were Alex Rowland of Itawamba (84-76 – 160),Corey Ward of Gulf Coast (80-81 – 161) and Jordan Jamar of EastMississippi (79-82 – 161).

Co-Lin’s Chad Vivien of Purvis (82-81 – 163), and DonnieMcFarland of McCall Creek (83-80 – 163), finished tied for sixthplace. Clay Price of Hazlehurst shot 89-82 – 171 followed by RyanRatcliff of Meadville at 88-87 – 175.

The Wolfpack led by four shots after the first round.