MSSU golf in sixth place after first day of Washburn Invitational

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Topeka, Kan. - The Missouri Southern Lions Men's Golf team sits in sixth place out of 14 teams after the opening round of the Washburn Invitational at the Topeka Country Club. Due to weather only 18 holes were played today and the Invitational will conclude tomorrow with another 18 holes with tee times starting at 10 a.m.

Battling cold temps and high winds, wind chill was in the teens, the Lions carded a first round 320 for sixth place after the opening round of the Washburn Invitational. "It was a disappointing day," said head coach Mike Wheeler. "We had too many big number, but the one positive is that Chase (Rogers) continues to improve as a top five player."

Freshman Chase Rogers leads Southern into the clubhouse with a first round 77 (6-over) and is currently tied for 15th. Senior Taylor Lansford is two strokes behind with a first round 79 while junior Connor Neil sits at 80. Sophomores Tristan Haltom and Tripper Jensen round out the team scores with an 84 and 86, respectively.

Central Missouri leads after the opening round with a team score of 298. The host Ichabods sit in second with a 306 and are followed by St. Cloud State (311), Missouri Western (317), Lincoln (319) and the Lions to round out the top six. Augustana (S.D.) finished in seventh (321) followed by Upper Iowa (323), William Jewell (325), Southwest Baptist (326), Rockhurst (327), Fort Hays State (330). Bemidji State (334), and Minnesota-Crookston (335).

In the individual medalist race UCM individual Cole Dillion leads the individual medalist race after an opening round of 70 followed by teammate Travis Simmons and Lincoln's Gabe Trowbridge both with a first round 71. UCM's Alex Springer sits alone in fourth place with a 74 followed by teammate Shayne Allan, Wasbhurn's Blake Allen and Brooks Brown, Missouri Western's Patrick McCarthy, Augustana's Parker Klitzke, and Upper Iowa's Curt Cooksley all who tied for fifth with a first round 75.

The final 18 holes of the Washburn Invitational will start at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning at the Topeka Country Club.