The Washburn men’s golf team failed to earn the automatic qualifying spot that accompanies winning the MIAA title, but the Ichabods still managed to nab a spot in the NCAA Regional.

The Bods will pack their bags and head to Jefferson City, Mo., May 7-9 for the NCAA Midwest/South Central Regional Tournament. Washburn looks pumped and ready to redeem themselves after faltering late in their last two meets.

“We definitely feel good,” said Washburn senior golfer Chris Grause. “We feel pretty optimistic.”

Washburn failed to put the University of Central Missouri away in the MIAA Championship Tournament April 16-17, but the Ichabods won’t let the bad memory linger.

“That was the toughest lost we’ve had since I’ve been at Washburn,” said Grause. “It took some time to get over but we have to.”

Washburn blew a seven shot lead to UCM and went home empty handed. It was another tough loss to swallow as the Ichabods failed to win their own invitational the week prior to the MIAA championship. On the bright side, after failing to bring their whole team to the regional tournament the last two years, Washburn’s five man team will make its way to Missouri with high hopes this year.

“We have to play well so we can keep playing,” said Grause. “It’s so much bigger than Central (Missouri) and us. It’s bigger than us versus the MIAA.”

The Mules of UCM were able to claim the No. 6 seed after winning the MIAA championship, but the Ichabods were able to snag the fourth seed in the South Central Regional out of 10 teams. In their tenth NCAA appearance, the veteran group of Bods looks to leave a mark and leave with no regrets.

“I just want to go out and enjoy every second of it,” said Grause.

Grause is joined by fellow seniors Riley Piles and Ben Moser. Piles was crowned MIAA individual champion during the MIAA championships in April. Juniors Nathan Hoefflin and Brian Walker round out the five man squad traveling to the Jefferson City Country Club where the Ichabods placed third earlier in the season at the 2011 MGA Regional Preview. Washburn must finish in the top five to advance to the 2012 Division II Spring Championships Festival May 15-19 at The Cardinal Club in Simpsonville, Ky.

“We just want to play good and just keep going,” said Grause.