Illinois State's Thompson Takes Lead in College Disc Golf National Championship

The College Disc Golf National Championship is underway, and Illinois State's Collin Thompson is making waves. After a strong performance in the first round of the Men's Division I singles event at the 2022 CDGNC, held at North Cove Disc Golf Club in Marion, North Carolina, Thompson finds himself at the top of the leaderboard with an impressive score of 8-under par.

Thompson and his teammates formed their club just a week ago after discovering an Instagram post about a qualifier event for the championship. The decision to form the team paid off quickly, as they began competing in qualifying tournaments across the country, including events in Peoria, Illinois, and Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Despite the challenges posed by high winds on Thursday, Thompson's safe but strategic approach paid off, allowing him to capitalize on opportunities and achieve a bogey-free round. His score of 8-under par was one of only three such rounds on the Boulders course, which features elevation changes, tight gaps, and, as its name suggests, plenty of boulders.

For Thompson, playing in North Carolina's mountains was a unique experience, given his background in Illinois where flat land is the norm. He expressed his enthusiasm for the new terrain and the chance to throw longer shots rather than more wooded ones.

Illinois State is still in its first year as an official club, but their chemistry and camaraderie are evident. Thompson praised the team's dynamic and stated that they're "really close" and always have fun together. The team has already started fundraising efforts and is working towards becoming a formal recreational organization at Illinois State.

The competition is fierce, with 10 players within four strokes of the lead and several teams vying for top spot in the overall standings. Northern Arizona currently holds the lead, but Iowa State made a significant jump up the rankings with an average score of 57 among their singles scores.

The next round of action will take place on Friday morning, when the Division I team event resumes. The Division I singles finals are scheduled for later that afternoon, and fans can follow the latest developments from the championship.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/lets-see-what-we-can-do