MVC's Gibson medals at nationals

SILVIS, Ill. -- After the first round of the 58th NAIA Championships, Missouri Valley College golfer Craig Gibson seemed headed for oblivion.

The freshman from Brooks, Alberta, was mired near the rear of the pack after shooting an 80 on the par-71 TPC at Deere Run near Moline, Ill. However, Gibson improved each round thereafter, with a 75 and 73 during the middle days moving him into a tie for 37th place and a three-under 69 in the final round bringing him an all-tournament medal.

Gibson started Tuesday's opening round on the back nine with five straight pars, but then clunked double bogies on two of the last four holes heading into the turn. Three bogies and a double on the front nine put him further off the pace set by defending champion Sam Cyr of Point Loma Christian (Calif.), who would lead from wire to wire for the title.

The return from obscurity didn't come quickly for Gibson, the Heart of America Conference champion going out Wednesday with five bogies on the front nine. However, he birdied two of the next three holes and was one under coming in.

That moved Gibson only slightly up the leader board, but he gained more ground Thursday with three birdies on the back nine for a one-over-par score during the third round.

With five birdies over the first 12 holes Friday, Gibson was back in the medal hunt. He made par five holes in a row before bogeying No. 18, which didn't change his final position -- a tie for 13th place in a field of 149 golfers with a 13-over 297.

Oklahoma Christian led the team standings after the first round and was never caught for its first championship, its score of 1,181 beating Texas Wesleyan by four points, while HAAC Tournament winner Lindenwood finished in 17th place.