HAYFIELD &045; The Riverland Community College golf teams gathered momentum for next week’s state and regional tournaments with a strong showing at Oaks Country Club near Hayfield Tuesday.

The men tied with Rochester with 318 strokes through 18 holes. Rochester won a team tiebreaker on the first hole. Bethany had 380.

Dan Breuer of Albert Lea led the Blue Devils with a 75. Following for RCC were Shawn Cameron, 77; Cody Nuernberg, 83; and Shane Toesketter, 83.

&uot;We had only four players due to a school function, so all four counted,&uot; said Blue Devils coach Dave Lillemon. &uot;It was a good tournament for us. It was our best score of the year and a good time to have it going into the state and regional tournament Monday and Tuesday.&uot;

The women’s team defeated Bethany in a dual meet 292-315. It was the fifth win of the season for the Blue Devils, who have also finished second in two tournaments. Tuesday’s scores: Carissa Gabrielson, 85; Allison Stutzman, 91; Sarah Naatz, 116.

The women will compete as a team in the state tournament but not for the regional. They’ll compete as individuals for region in hopes of qualifying for nationals.

It’s a tradition Lillemon would like to continue.

&uot;Six years in a row we’ve sent someone to nationals,&uot; he said. &uot;I’d like to think we have a chance to continue it.&uot;