The Riverland men's golf team got a glimpse into the future with the weekend's trip to Brainerd. The Blue Devils, competing against every junior college team in the state, finished third by 13 strokes at the Central Lakes Invitational Sunday and Monday on The Dutch course at the Legacy.

Hibbing won the team title with a 642, trailed by defending state champion Central Lakes at 647 and Riverland at 655. Rochester gave chase for fourth with a 658.

Riverland sophomore Jeff Clark was second overall with a pair of 4-over-par rounds, shooting 76-76--152. He trailed only Minneapolis' Clayton Johnson (74-75--149) for the medalist honors.

Grady Rider was tied with Clark at second overall after the first day, but an 88 on day two dropped him off the leaderboard. His two-day total of 164 was, however, second-best on the Riverland team.

Joe Hewitt shot consistent rounds of 84-84 for a 168, and Brett Wuerflein carded a pair of 86s. Andrew Routh's 86-89--175 rounded out the Devils' efforts.

"Overall we played pretty good," said Riverland coach David Lillemon. "The conditions were really tough for scoring, it was a very difficult course.

"Basically this gave us the confidence that we can play with anybody in the state. We had our chance to win this today, and certainly will give us the confidence going into the next two weeks and the state and regional."

Riverland's lone women's golfer, Heather Selmecki, shot a 131-121--252, improving 10 strokes on the second day.

The Devils' next meet is Saturday at Mankato.

Call Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.