MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (4/23/17) – The Arkansas State men's golf team began play Sunday at the Sun Belt Conference Championships, shooting a first-round 292 at the Raven Golf Club to put it in a tie for sixth place among 12 teams.

The Red Wolves had two players end the round among the top-20 individual leaders, including sophomore Joel Wendin in a tie for eighth place and junior Tanner Napier in a tie for 72nd. A-State finished the round following a three-hour weather delay, although second-round play was suspended due to darkness.

Unofficially, the Red Wolves had climbed into a tie for fifth place during the three-day tournament's second round. According to live scoring available on GolfStat.com, Arkansas State is currently tied with Coastal Carolina and only one stroke behind fourth-place Texas State.

Georgia State and Troy ended the first round in first and second place, respectively, but live stats has the two schools now tied for first place at 3-under par. The Red Wolves stand 9-over for the first and second rounds combined.

Wendin recorded a 71 and Napier a 72 to lead A-State during the opening round. True freshman Zan Luka Strin carded a 73 for the round that put him in a tie for 23rd, but he is 2-under through his first 10 holes of the second round and has climbed into a team-best ninth place.

Also competing for the Red Wolves, Andrew Huseman finished the first round tied for 41st place with a 76 and redshirt freshman Matt Cole was tied for 55th after posting an 81.

The tournament's second round is set to resume tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. and will be followed by the third round.

ARKANSAS STATE RESULTS
Place, Name (RD 1)
T6, Arkansas State (292)
T8, Joel Wendin (71)
T14, Tanner Napier (72)
T23, Zan Luka Stirn (73)
T41, Andrew Huseman (76)
T55, Matt Cole (81)