Bronchos Finish Runner-up At Firekeeper Open

Nick Canales Ties For Third To Lead UCO

MAYETTA, Kansas – A trio of top-15 individual finishers led Central Oklahoma to a runner-up showing in the Firekeeper Open that wrapped up Tuesday.

The Bronchos closed with a 293 on the 7,030-yard, par-72 Firekeeper Golf Club to finish with an 869 total in the two-day, 54-hole tournament. Oklahoma Christian fired a final-round 280 to claim the team title at 859.

Concordia-St. Paul was third in the 19-team event at 870, followed by Hutchinson Community College (874) and tournament host Washburn (882).

Nick Canales tied for third with a five-under-par 211 total to lead UCO. Bennett Baldwin tied for seventh at one-under 215 and Jordan Wilson tied for 13th at three-over 219.

"We didn't play our best today, but it was still a good tournament for us," said head coach Derrick Thompson, whose team has eight top-two finishes in nine tournaments this year (five wins, three seconds). "I'm proud of the fight our guys showed. We've had a good year and now it's time to get ready for the postseason."

It was the final tournament of the regular season for the Bronchos, who are off next week before going to Jefferson City, Missouri April 21-23 for the 2025 MIAA Men's Golf Championships.

Canales finished with a flurry in making a big climb up the individual standings.

The sophomore had to play one hole early Tuesday morning to complete the second round that was halted by darkness Monday night and birdied that to finish off a 74.

Canales carried that momentum into the final round, carding five birdies against a lone bogey in closing with a four-under 68 to finish at five-under for the tournament. He tied for third, four shots behind winner Blake Staffell of Washburn.

Baldwin was the lone UCO player to finish both rounds Monday, putting together back-to-back 70s for a four-under 140. He finished with a 75 in ending the tournament at one-under 215.

Wilson started the day with two pars to finish off a second-round 72. The senior repeated that even-par score in the final round with 14 pars, two birdies and two bogeys to finish at three-over 219.

Baylor Bostick ended with a 225 total (71-76-78), while Rhett Hughes shot 228 (75-75-78). Karsten Paciotti competed as an individual medalist and finished with the same total (72-72-84).

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Players Mentioned

Bennett Baldwin: Senior

Baylor Bostick: Sophomore

Nick Canales: Sophomore

Karsten Paciotti: Junior

Jordan Wilson: Senior

Rhett Hughes: Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Bennett Baldwin
: Senior

Baylor Bostick
: Sophomore

Nick Canales
: Sophomore

Karsten Paciotti
: Junior

Jordan Wilson
: Senior

Rhett Hughes
: Redshirt Freshman