McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's golf team began their campaign at the NCAA Division III Men's Golf National Championship with a strong performance. The team, ranked fifth nationally, posted an opening round score of 290 at the Midvale Golf Course in Penfield, New York. This score places them four strokes ahead of their closest competitors in the 43-team field after the first day.

Junior Juney Bai and senior Griffin Pohl led the Titans' efforts. Bai is tied for fifth place individually with a two-under-par 70, while Pohl's one-under-par 71 has him tied for eighth. Junior Michael Spitzer and senior Quinn Clifford are also contributing to the team's success, sitting in 31st and 53rd places respectively after posting scores of 74 and 75.

Illinois Wesleyan leads the tournament standings, followed by John Carroll and Carleton, both tied at 294. Aurora stands fourth with a score of 295. Trinity (Texas), Kenyon, and Huntingdon share fifth place at 297. Individually, Lynchburg's Edward Coffren and Bethel's Will Karkoc are leading with four-under-par rounds played at Cobblestone Creek.

The second round will take place tomorrow on May 21st, with Illinois Wesleyan set to play on Cobblestone Creek starting at 8:05 a.m. ET.