SEARCY, Ark. – The Harding men's golf team continues to cement its status as a national powerhouse, moving up to No. 26 in the latest NCAA Division II rankings and securing the No. 3 spot in the Central Region.
The Bisons are in a prime position for a deep postseason run. Under the NCAA's qualifying format, the NCAA Central/Midwest Regional Tournament features a 20-team field, taking the top 10 programs from the Central Region and the top 10 from the Midwest Region. This year's combined championship is set for May 7-9 at the Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids, Michigan.
A Triple Threat in the Rankings
Harding's ascent is fueled by a rare level of individual depth. The Bisons are one of the few programs in the country to boast three golfers ranked inside the top 70 nationally and the top 10 regionally:
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Dennis Staykov (Jr.): Ranked 43rd nationally and 5th in the Central Region.
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Jose Manuel Peralta (Sr.): Ranked 54th nationally and 6th in the Central Region.
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Jose Arzu (Jr.): Ranked 68th nationally and 8th in the Central Region.
Road to Michigan
By holding the No. 3 spot in the Central Region, the Bisons are well-positioned not only to secure one of the 10 available regional bids but to enter the tournament as one of the favorites to advance to the NCAA National Championships. The combined field in Big Rapids will feature the elite programs from the GAC, MIAA, and NSIC (Central) alongside the top teams from the GLVC, GLIAC, and G-MAC (Midwest).
