Feb. 24, 2003

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Kansas State men's golf team posted an 18-hole total of 305 on Monday to tie for third place after the first day of Roadrunner Intercollegiate Invitational at the par-71, 6,691-yard, Oak Hills Country Club. Freezing temperatures and heavy rains halted play during the second round, and the tournament will be shortened to 36 holes.

Junior Aaron Watkins battled the elements to lead the Wildcats with a 2-over-par 73. Watkins is currently tied for second place with two other golfers and is just one stroke behind the leader, North Texas' ZackhAtkinson. Junior A.J. Elgert, after sitting out the first tournament of spring with a broken finger, returned to shoot a 3-over-par 75 to tie for 7th. Freshman Josh Persons made his way into the top 20 after day one, firing a 76 to tie for 13th. Completing the K-State's roster was junior Greg Douglas, who tied for 51st with an 81, and freshman Ben Kern, who tied for 65th with an 83.

Kansas State head coach Tim Norris was proud of the team's play today in the inclement weather, and believes they have a fighting chance at a win going into tomorrow.

"It's really hard to tell where we stand at this point," Norris said. "We fought through the conditions today and stayed close. It's pretty difficult to formulate a strategy in this weather, and you just have to go out and try to shoot as low as you can."

Texas Tech took the lead after the first round, with a 16-over-par 300. Two strokes back of the Red Raiders is Arkansas with a 302, and tied for third with the Wildcats is North Texas at 305.

The conclusion of round is set to begin tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Oak Hills Country Club. For complete results of the Roadrunner Intercollegiate Invitational, please visit UTSA's web site at www.goutsa.com.

Team Scores: 1. Texas Tech 300. 2. Arkansas 302. T3. Kansas State 305. T3. North Texas 305. 5. Iowa State 307. T6. Baylor 309. T6. Wichita State 309. 8. Arkansas-Little Rock 311. 9. Rice 312. 10. Texas-San Antonio 313. T11. Illinois State 316. T11. Louisiana-Lafayette 316. 13. Stephen F. Austin 325. 14. Northern Iowa 330. 15. German National Team 335.

Top Individuals: 1. Zach Atkinson, North Texas, 72. T2. Aaron Watkins, Kansas State, 73. T2. Tobias Winberg, Louisiana-Lafayette, 72. T2. Andrew Dresser, Texas Tech, 72. T5. Brooks Kelly, Texas Tech, 74. T5. Drew Higginbothom, Arkansas, 74.

Wildcat Individuals: T2. Aaron Watkins 72. T7. A.J. Elgert 75. T13. Josh Persons 76. T51. Greg Douglas 81. T65. Ben Kern 83.