UCCS in sixth at final regional qualifier

Chase Wortmann and Neil Huffaker did their part but the rest of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs menâ€^TMs golf team struggled Monday as the Mountain Lions finished the first two rounds of the Northwest Region Spring Head-to-Head Tournament in a disappointing sixth place.

Wortmann owned the 6,786-yard layout at Firethorn Golf Club in Lincoln, Neb. The senior shot an even-par 71 in the first round and 72 in the second round to lead the tournament going into Tuesdayâ€^TMs final round. Huffaker shot a 77 in Mondayâ€^TMs morning round, but came back to card a 72 in the afternoon, placing him tied for eighth.

But John Scott (159, tied for 41st), Chris Smith (161, 47th) and Alex Kephart (169, tied for 57th) all struggled, dragging the Mountain Lionsâ€^TM team score down to 612.

The Mountain Lionsâ€^TM finish at this tournament is relatively inconsequential as far as qualifying for the regional tournament is concerned. UCCSâ€^TM play in the first two regional qualifiers all but guaranteed a spot in the regional field.

What does have immediate consequence, however, is that the Mountain Lions trail Colorado State-Pueblo by three strokes. This tournament, and the regional tournament on May 1-3 at Phoenix, each count a point towards the Steel and Silver Series between the schools. UCCS currently leads the rivalry series 21-13.

St. Cloud State leads the Northwest Region Spring Head-to-Head Tournament, going into Tuesdayâ€^TMs final round with a score of 600. Regis, which has been hot lately, is second at 604, while Colorado State-Pueblo and Fort Lewis are tied at 609.