PUEBLO, Colo. (March 30, 2026) – Lubbock Christian University navigated a deep and nationally competitive field Monday at The Sam Proal Invitational, sitting tied for ninth place after 36 holes of play at Pueblo Country Club. The Chaparrals posted rounds of 297 and 290 for a 587 (+19) total, closing the day in a tie with Colorado State Pueblo's "B" team and Colorado Mesa.
 
LCU trimmed seven strokes off its opening round score in the afternoon session, using improved balance throughout the lineup to remain within striking distance entering Tuesday's final round. The Chaparrals sit just 26 strokes off the tournament lead, with the top nine teams separated by only 26 shots in a tightly packed leaderboard.
 
Senior Hayden Bowman continued his strong spring stretch, pacing LCU at even-par 142 (71-71) to sit tied for 13th individually. The Lubbock native delivered back-to-back steady rounds, carding 25 pars across the day while limiting mistakes, continuing a run that includes a runner-up finish at the Oak Tree Invitational and a top-12 showing last week at the Midwestern State Invitational.
 
Senior Maximiliano Dufey followed closely, tying for 22nd at 145 (+3) after rounds of 73 and 72. Dufey showed consistency across both rounds, while junior Noel Bondesson provided a key highlight for the Chaparrals, finishing at 147 (+5) and tying for 40th. Bondesson recorded one of the tournament's notable moments for LCU with an eagle, accounting for the team's lone eagle of the day.
 
Sophomore Hudson Reagan carded a 153 (+11) to place tied for 72nd, improving by three strokes in the second round, while freshman Grayson Henegar rounded out the lineup at 159 (+17).
 
As a team, LCU found success on par-3 holes, ranking fifth in the field with a 3.30 scoring average (+15), while also tying for ninth with 26 birdies. The Chaparrals added 98 pars, emphasizing a steady approach across the 36-hole stretch.
 
However, scoring opportunities proved more limited on par-5s, where LCU ranked tied for 10th at 4.88 (-5), an area that could prove pivotal in Tuesday's final round. The Chaparrals also recorded seven holes at double bogey or worse, highlighting the importance of minimizing mistakes as they look to climb the leaderboard.
 
The field features multiple nationally ranked programs across NCAA Division II and the NJCAA ranks, including leader Colorado Christian (No. 31), West Texas A&M (No. 17), and host Colorado State Pueblo (No. 13), along with NJCAA powers Hutchinson Community College (No. 7) and Dodge City Community College (No. 18), creating a highly competitive environment to open the event.
 
With scoring tightly bunched entering the final round, Lubbock Christian remains in position to make a move Tuesday as the Chaparrals continue the spring portion of their 2025-26 schedule.
 
The tournament concludes Tuesday with the third and final round at Pueblo Country Club.