Wesley Rogers’ freshman season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College started off slower than a golf cart going uphill.

But it finished with a splash as the former Cathedral High standout finished second at the NJCAA Division III Golf Tournament in Chautauqua, N.Y. last week.

Rogers’ finish landed him first team All-American honors.

&uot;It was awesome,&uot; Rogers said. &uot;I was just hoping to make All-American (top 15).&uot;

The four-day tournament was played in 45-degree weather and had a two-hour fog delay.

Rogers fired a 77.

&uot;Considering the conditions, I thought that was pretty good,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;I was used to playing in 95-degree heat.&uot;

Rogers shot a 79 the second day and then finished second in the longest drive contest.

Rogers shot another 77 the third day to be tied for fifth place, and trailed Kevin O’Connell of Connecticut by 10 strokes.

After making three birdies over the first three days, Rogers made six birdies on his final day to finish with a 71. He birdied three of the final five holes.

&uot;I was so proud of the way I finished,&uot; Rogers said. &uot;That’s something I will never forget. I was just hitting the ball unreal the last day.&uot;

Rogers placed second in the state junior college golf tournament, despite shooting an 85 on the first day.

&uot;The conditions were terrible,&uot; Rogers said of the state tournament

held at Natchez Trace Golf Course. &uot;I&160;was real mad about that and it got in my head.&uot;

Rogers followed up with a 74 on the second day to finsh at 159.

&uot;I just went out and played my game the second day,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;My coach (Ronnie Ross) told me I had to shoot one-under on the back nine to qualify for the nationals. I was two-under going through 16 holes and then bogeyed the 17th hole. But I got a par on No. 18.&uot;

Rogers, who said the competition is much more serious on the junior college level than it was in high school, has high expectations for his last year at Co-Lin next year.

&uot;I want to win more tournaments next year,&uot;&160;he said. &uot;This past year I was just kind of hovering around and happy to be in the top five. I want to continue playing after I finish at Co-Lin but I’ll just have to wait and see what kind of offers I get.&uot;