Birdie Barrage Helps Cobbers Capture BSU Invite Championship

BEMIDJI, Minn. (9/14/21)---Concordia held off late charges from NCAA Division II schools Bemidji State and Concordia-St. Paul to claim the team title at the 70th annual Bemidji State Invitational.

The Cobbers bettered their Day 1 team score by four shots, shot a Day 2 of 296 and won the meet by eight shots over the host Beavers.

Concordia posted 29 birdies as a team over the two rounds which was the most by any school at the meet. CC was also tops in playing the Par 4 and Par 5 holes.

It is the first team title at an invitational for the Cobbers since they tied for first place at the Minn.-Crookston Kings Walk Invite in 2019.   

Freshman Mason Plante tied for the individual championship, bur was awarded medalist honors after a tie-breaker ruling. He carded an even-par 71 on Tuesday and finished with a 2-day total of 143. It is the first time in his college career that he has posted a Top 10 finish.

Plante had two bogeys and two birdies on each 9 on Day 2 and posted the lowest round by any Cobber on the season. He was tied for the tournament lead in both Par 4 and Par 5 holes. Plante was 2-over on the Par 4s and 4-under on the Par 5s.     
 
Concordia also got stellar play from Ryan Jenson and Justin Lamp who both finished in the Top 10. Jenson tied for seventh in the individual standings with a total of 149 (74-75) while Lamp was one shot behind at 150 (77-73) and was in a tie for eighth place. Jenson's 74 on Monday and Lamp's 73 on Tuesday were their low single-round scores of the season.    

Senior Mason Opheim struggled on Tuesday. After opening with a 72 on Day 1, he had four double bogeys on Day 20 and finished with an 80. His total of 152 put him in a tie for 15th place.  

Nate Longtin was also 4-under on the Par 5s and was the No.5 finisher for the Cobbers. He carded his low round of the year on Day 2 when he came home with a 75. His final total of 154 was just inside the Top 25 with a 23rd-place finish.

Tyler Bossert and Ian Pan rounded out the Cobber contingent for the tournament. Bossert fired a 158 (81-77) while Pan had a 166 (86-80) in his first college competition.   

UP NEXT: Concordia will head to Central Minnesota for the weekend when they compete in the annual St. John's Invitational on Sept. 18-19.