KCAC

[Golf] Men's Golf leads KWU Spring Invitational after first round, Women in second

Men's Golf leads KWU Spring Invitational after first round, Women in second Frosty early morning temperatures put a chill on the Kansas Wesleyan golf teams' efforts at the start. But the Coyotes heated up and their scores dropped as the sun came out and warmed the Salina Country Club course Monday during the first round of the KWU Spring Invitational. Wesleyan's A-Team posted a 291 team score and takes a 10-shot lead into Tuesday's second round. William Penn's second (301), the Coyote B-Team third (303) and Central Christian fourth (305). "Early on we were a little stiff," A-Team member Coleman Houk (SR/Lawrence, Kan.) said. "I think we had a much better back nine as a team, for sure. At the end of the round I didn't see a single player on our team with their jacket on." Houk shot a 2-over-par 72 and enters Tuesday's second round tied for third with teammate Ben Hadden (SR/Shawnee Mission, Kan.). Troy Watson (JR/Coffeyville, Kan.) is second after an even-par 70, two shots behind tournament leader Oliver Stanway of William Penn, who posted a 2-under 68. Logan Vacca (JR/Coffeyville, Kan.)'s tied for 13th after an opening round 77 for the A-Team. Sam Flinn (SR/Mankato, Kan.) is tied for 28th with an 84. Houk was pleased with the way his round ended. "To start with not so great," he said. "Toward the end I had a stretch of four holes there where I rattled off three birdies in a row. That was a big help to the end." Houk said he's looking forward to the final 18 holes with temperatures forecast to be in the mid-60s."At this point I think the warmer the weather, the lower we'll go," he said. Austin Odom (JR/Sanger, Texas) and Trevor Millard (JR/Stinnett, Texas) led the Wesleyan B-Team's effort with 74s and are tied for seventh. Pat Mercer's tied for 10th after a 76 and Zac Cepure (SO/Lincoln, Neb.)'s tied for 18th at 79. Evan Lambert (SO/Salina, Kan.) is tied for 32nd after an 85. Cameron Becker (SO/Coffeyville, Kan.) is tied for 22nd with an 82 and Jorden Winegeart (SO/Stinnett, Texas) is tied for 35th with an 87, playing as individuals. KWU coach Randy Syring was generally pleased with this team's work. "I can't be unhappy with a 10-shot lead," he said. "We scored a little higher today than probably what our goal was, but I think (the course) was playing a little tougher that we anticipated, too. "The roughs haven't started growing yet and you can get a little dicey when you get it out of the fairway. But the greens are perfect and rolling great. Overall (the course) is playing well, there's just a little more of a penalty for hitting it out of the fairway this time of year." Syring was especially pleased with his teams' resolve. "I don't think anybody really brought their A-game today, but I was proud of them for grinding out some good scores when they weren't striking it their best," he said. The Coyotes had a 4-shot lead after the first round of last year's Spring Invitational, but finished second 1 shot behind Park. Houk said the key to avoiding a repeat is simple. "Just play like we can," he said. "Every single person on our roster can go lower than they did today. And I fully expect us to do that. "For sure we want to get our home tournament, especially having three seniors on our roster (Houk, Hadden and Sam Flinn)." The Wesleyan women's team shot an opening round 373 and is second, 10 shots behind Central Christian. York's third at 377. Oklahoma Panhandle State is in fourth after a 419. KWU freshman Kristen Sayyalinh (FR/Rockford, Ill.) is the individual leader after posting an 83 and has a 3-shot lead over Central Christian's Kari Kirl and Kendra Jellison. Mikaela Johnson (JR/Salina, Kan.) is in sixth (91), Mackenzie Fabrizius is in ninth (94) and Chandler Birkholz (SO/Eureka, Kan.) in 15th (107) rounded out Wesleyan's scoring. Second round play begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday.