NORMAL, ILL.—Temperatures dropped and scores rose but the Central College men's golf team hung on to its position and tied for 10th in the 25-team Illinois Wesleyan Invitational Saturday.
           
After shooting 309 in milder weather Friday, Central slipped to 316 Saturday to close at 625 as steady rain and a biting wind turned the final round into a bit of an endurance contest.
No. 7-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University saw its score soar as well but still took the team title in comfortable fashion at 283-299—582. No. 22-ranked Aurora University (Ill.) and Webster University (Mo.) shared second at 604. Central tied with Hope College (Mich.), which shot 314-311—625 and Edgewood Collee (Wis.), which had 313-312—625. American Rivers foe Loras College was 16th at 316-318—634 and Nebraska Wesleyan University was 20th at 318-323—641.
           
Drew Rogers (freshman, Sullivan, Ill.) tied for 38th individually at 74-81—155. Lucas Wendel (junior, Le Claire, Pleasant Valley HS) followed at 75-82—157 with Jake Moffett (sophomore, Mount Pleasant) 80-78—158, Dustin Haines (junior, Sigourney) at 80-79—159 and Drake Hamilton (freshman, Westlake, Texas, Keller HS) at 81-78—159.
           
"The conditions were terrible," Blasi said. "It was raining and windy and the real-feel temperature was 30 degrees. But I was pleased with our toughness. We didn't quit. We've got guys that compete and battle."
           
For the second straight day, Haines played his second nine holes in even par.
           
"Dustin played really well coming in again today in much worse conditions," Blasi said.
           
Central's top finisher was at-large entrant Cole McGriff (freshman, Grinnell), who tied for 25th at 76-77—153 while Harold Dobernecker (sophomore, Nevada) shot 74-89—163. McGriff will get a hard look at a varsity spot next week, Blasi said.
           
Blasi has his program targeted to compete nationally and that will require tackling teams like Illinois Wesleyan.
           
"Illinois Wesleyan is the standard right now and any time you can go up against the standard it's a good chance to see where you are," he said. "Right now, we've got a long way to go to get to that level, but we're getting there. This group has a good feel and good camaraderie."
           
Next Thursday Central gets a chance to preview this year's American Rivers Championship course, competing against Iowa Wesleyan University at the Geneva Golf and Country Club in Muscatine at 1 p.m.