Thursday, May 9, 2019

ST. GEORGE, Utah – Behind an opening-round score of even-par out of senior Cody Roth, Western Washington sits in ninth place on the team leaderboard after the first round of the NCAA Division II West/South Central Regional on Thursday at The Ledges Golf Club.

The Vikings finished the first day with a 7-over-par score of 295. Roth led the way, starting his day on the 10th hole and making nine consecutive pars to open the tournament. He would then go on to card three birdies on the front nine, ending the day with a 72 in St. George.

The regional consists of three rounds played over three days on the 7,145-yard, par-72 course. 

Also representing the GNAC at the regional is Simon Fraser (10th place) and Concordia (T-16). Competing as an individual is Saint Martin's senior Tyler Fitchett (8-over-par), who started his tournament with an eagle on his second hole of the day.

Cavaliers sophomore Riley Killip is tied for 17th place after day one, firing an even-par round of 72. Killip birdied two of his first six holes to jumpstart his impressive opening round. 

Leading the Clan is B.C. product Sy Lovan. The junior made birdies on two of his final three holes to get into a tie for 23rd, ending the day with a 1-over-par score of 73.

The Vikings sit 12 strokes back of first-place Dixie State, with SFU 13 strokes off the pace. The host Trailblazers tallied a total score of 283 in the first round. The top four teams in the 20-team tournament will move on to the NCAA Championships that will be played May 20-24 in Daniels, West Virginia.

Western Washington senior Nick Sparling is the other GNAC representative sitting inside the top-25 on the individual leaderboard. Sparling is tied for 23rd heading into Friday's competition, carding consistent splits of 36 and 37 for a one-over-par 73.

Play will resume on Friday morning in St. George as the top golfers in the region return to the course for second round action.