GOODYEAR, Ariz. (2/29/16) – Clubhouse leader Tanner Napier was one of five Arkansas State men's golfers who improved their individual standings Monday at the Loyola Intercollegiate, helping the Red Wolves jump from tied for fifth place to first through the three-day tournament's first 36 holes.
One day after posting a 9-under-par 279 at the Palm Valley Golf Club, A-State shot a 281 for the best second-round score among all 17 competing teams. The Red Wolves entered the second round eight strokes behind then-leader Indiana, but gained 12 strokes on the Hoosiers today while also passing William & Mary, Connecticut and James Madison in the standings.
Holding a combined 560 score, Arkansas State will take a two-stroke lead over James Madison and four-stroke advantage over third-place Indiana into Tuesday's third-and-final-round. The Red Wolves' day-one and day-two scores were their third and fourth lowest of the season, respectively.
Napier, who was tied for second after Sunday's play, has put together the best two rounds of his career to climb to the top of the leaderboard and grab a one-stroke advantage over second-place Lloyd Jefferson Go of Seton Hall. The sophomore carded a 66 and 68 for the first and second rounds, respectively, to give him a 134 total. His 66 not only counted as the lowest round this year by an A-State golfer, but tied the program's third-best round over the last nine years.
Currently in third place with a combined 136, senior Seth Garner is looking for the best finish of his career. He began the day tied for 14th place after shooting a first-round 69, but move up 11 spots after firing a career-low 67 that was also the best of the day among all 104 competing players.
A-State freshman Joel Wendin ended the day just outside the top-25 leaders, climbing from 38th place into a tie for 27th after posting an even-par 72 for the second straight round. Senior Oswin Schlenkrich shot a 74 today, giving him a combined 146 that places him tied for 42nd.
Also competing for the Red Wolves, sophomore Andrew Huseman is tied for 60th place with a combined 149 (75-74) and junior Matt Loiacano tied for 69th with a 150 (76-74). Both players moved up at least 13 places in the standings with their round today. Loiacano is competing as an individual.
ARKANSAS STATE RESULTS
Place, Name (RD 1-RD 2--TOTAL)
1, Arkansas State (279-281—560)
1, Tanner Napier (66-68—134)
3, Seth Garner (69-67—136)
T27, Joel Wendin (72-72—144)
T42, Oswin Schlenkrich (72-74—146)
T60, Andrew Huseman (75-74—149)
T69, *Matthew Loiacano (76-74—150)
*Competing as an individual
