NEW PRAGUE, MINN. –Rebounding from Friday's slow start, Central College's Blake Wynn (junior, Milan, Ill., Sherrard HS) posted an eagle and four birdies in closing with an even-par 71 at the 15-team Bobby Krig Invitational men's golf tourney Saturday.
           
Central slipped one spot and finished eighth in the 54-hole tournament, shooting 308 at the par-71 New Prague Golf Course after carding a 306-305 Friday at the par-70  Le Sueur Country Club. Central closed at 306-305-308—919 while the tourney host, Gustavus Adolphus (College) won with 291-287-291—869. The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, ranked No. 19 in the GCAA Bushnell/Golf Week Division III coaches poll, was second at 289-293-302--884. Bethel University (Minn.) took third at 295-292-299—886 and and No. 25-rated Saint John's University (Minn.) was fourth at 291-299-298--888. Central was the lone Iowa school in the field.
           
Wynn climbed into a tie for 53rd at 82-83-71—236.
           
"Blake really got it going today," coach Mel Blasi said. "He holed out from 70 yards for eagle on (his third hole). He had a really good day on the greens. We're really happy to see him rebound because we need him."
           
However, Crew Klingner (freshman, Williamsburg) shot 78-76-78—232 to share top honors for Central overall, tying for 39th while Kayden Pendergrass (senior, Mount Vernon) shot 73-75-85—233 to share 41st. Maison Brandt (freshman, Byron, Ill.) shot 77-75-82—234 to share 43rd with Carter Yurgae (freshman, West Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS), who had 78-79-77—234. Jimmy Abdo of Gustavus Adolphus was the tournament medalist with 72-70-73—215.
           
"I thought Carter really hung in there today," Blasi said. "He didn't make any birdies but he kept himself in the game. And Crew has become a real grinder."
           
It was Central's final outing prior to the 54-hole American Rivers Conference Championship April 27-29 at the par-72 Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines. Tee times start at 1 p.m. April 27 and 9 a.m. the next two days. The Dutch finished third in the tourney on the same course a year ago. Luther College is the defending champ and was the top pick in the spring pre-season coaches poll ahead of the University of Dubuque and Nebraska Wesleyan University. Luther remains Blasi's pick.
           
"They've got some fifth-year seniors and they've won three in a row so I think you have to give them the nod," he said. "But there are some other good teams. Dubuque is having a really good year and so is Nebraska Wesleyan."
           
Pendegrass is the only returnee on the young Central squad with conference tournament experience, tying for 14th in last year's meet. The Dutch will have three freshmen in the lineup but Blasi is confident the team will be competitive.
           
"Absolutely," he said. "No doubt about it. Golf's a funny game. You just need three good rounds."
           
The tourney champion receives the conference's automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Championships May 13-16 in Penfield, New York.
           
Central has captured a record 32 conference championships and made 33 NCAA tournament appearances. Central's last league title was in 2015.