Riverland's first-round lead disappeared, but the Blue Devils still managed to qualify two golfers for the National Junior College Division III National Tournament after the final 18 holes at the Region XIII and Minnesota state tournament Tuesday at the Mankato Country Club.

Sophomores Jeff Clark and Joe Hewitt qualified for the nationals in June with top-10 finishes. Clark, the overall leader through the first round, shot another strong round to place second in the state and region with a 74-76--150. Minneapolis' Clayton Johnson, who trailed Clark after Monday's first 18 holes, won the individual crown with a 75-73--148.

And instead of only one team advancing to nationals, both Madison Area Technical College and defending champion Central Lakes qualify as a team because of the number of teams represented at the Region XIII tournament. Riverland, who led the team standings after the first day, slipped to fourth overall.

"We didn't play very well, other than Jeff," said Riverland coach David Lillemon. "We probably needed to shoot a 305 to 310 to be right in the game, and sure enough that's what it was going to take.

"We were right in there to win, we just didn't get it done. It was just going to take one of our best days of the year."

Hewitt qualified as the ninth overall individual, shooting steady rounds of 81-83--164. Brett Wuerflein, a top-10 contender after the first day, dipped to 14th overall by shooting 79-90--169. Adding to the Blue Devils' final score was Andrew Routh with a 176 and Grady Rider's 177 did not count.

"Overall it was a good year," Lillemon said. "We didn't get it done, but it wasn't because of a lack of effort. That's just the way golf goes."