Oklahoma Christian atop NAIA poll

Oklahoma Christian leapfrogged 10 spots from its preseason ranking to the No. 1 spot in the first regular season NAIA Men’s Golf Coaches' Top 25 Poll, the national office announced Friday. The Eagles earned seven first-place votes for 536 points, edging second-ranked Savannah College of Art and Design’s (Ga.) six first-place votes and 533 points. Third-ranked Holy Names (Calif.) was awarded five first-place nods for 511 points. Preseason No. 1 Oklahoma City and South Carolina - Beaufort round out the top five at fourth and fifth, respectively.

The Eagles were not the only team to have a large leap in the poll. California Baptist was ranked 23rd in the preseason poll and checks in at No. 12. Wayland Baptist (Texas) fell 10 spots to No. 24 from the preseason poll.

With six ranked teams, the Sooner Athletic Conference boasts the most ranked squads in the poll. Representing the SAC is: Oklahoma Christian, Oklahoma City, No. 11 Oklahoma Baptist, No. 16 Lubbock Christian (Texas), Wayland Baptist and No. 25 (tie) Southern Nazarene (Okla.). The Sun Conference has five teams garnering national ranking.

The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences, independents and unaffiliated groups. The next poll will be announced on March 26.

RANK  SCHOOL (1ST PLACE VOTES) FINAL POINTS
1, Oklahoma Christian University (7) 536
2, Savannah College of Art and Design (Ga.) (6) 533
3, Holy Names University (Calif.) (5) 511
4, Oklahoma City University, 502

5, University of South Carolina - Beaufort 496
6, Malone University (Ohio) (2) 474
7, Johnson & Wales University (Fla.) 450
8, Grand View University (Iowa) 401
9, Lee University (Tenn.) 398
10, Rocky Mountain College (Mont.) 372
11, Oklahoma Baptist University 358
12, California Baptist University 348
13, Texas Wesleyan University 342
14, University of British Columbia, 326
15, University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) 284
16, Lubbock Christian University (Texas) 275
17, Indiana Wesleyan University, 262
18, Lindenwood University (Mo.) 234
19, Southeastern University (Fla.) 214
20, University of Victoria (B.C.) 200