Oct. 7, 2002

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - First round struggles continued to plague the 29th-ranked Kansas State men's golf team Monday, as the Wildcats shot a 301-286=587 to sit in 12th place after the first two rounds of the Nestle Purina Classic at the Missouri Bluffs Golf Course.

Junior Aaron Watkins leads the Wildcats after day one. Watkins kept his streak of consitency going as he fired a 72-71=143 to tie for 21st. Tying for 44th were juniors Greg Douglas and A.J. Elgert, who carded rounds of 77-72=149 and 76-73=149, respectively. Sophomore Matt Van Cleave is tied for 55th at 151. After shooting an 82 during round one, freshman Josh Persons came back to record the Wildcats only under-par score of the day with a second-round 70. He is tied for 58th through 36 holes. Tim Moody, the Wildcat's individual, posted a 157 to tie for 69th.

Head coach Tim Norris said the 'Cats struggles during the first round was a combination of several things, but the players had done a good job of staying patient throughout the 36 holes of golf.

"The scoring conditions were good today, but we just didn't capitalize," Norris said. "If we put together a good round tomorrow we still have a chance to pass some teams and have a respectable finish."

Leading the tournament is No. 12 Illinois, which shot a 281-278=559 to lead the tournament by four strokes over No. 20 Baylor, which posted a 284-279=563. Iowa State's Drew Dalziel carde a pair of 67s to take a one-shot lead in the medalist race at 8-under-par 134.

The Wildcats look to make up some ground tomorrow as tournament action concludes at the Missouri Bluffs Golf Course. For complete results of the Nestle Purina Classic please visit Missouri's website at www.mutigers.com.

Team Scores: 1. Illinois 559. 2. Baylor 563. T3. Iowa State 567. T3. West Florida 567. T5. Kansas 570. T5. Missouri 570. 7. Tulsa 575. 8. Charlotte 578. 9. Arkansas State 580. 10. Rice 583. 11. Texas Tech 584. 12. Kansas State 587. T13. Louisiana Lafayette. T13. Mississippi St. 599.

Top Individuals: 1. Drew Dalziel, Iowa State, 134. 2. Alan Clark, Ark. State, 135. T3. Chris Marshall, Kansas, 136. T3. David Inglis, Tulsa, 136. T3. Will Doughtie, Baylor, 136.

Wildcat Individuals: T21. Aaron Watkins 72-71=143. T44. Greg Douglas 77-72=149. T44. A.J. Elgert 76-73=149. T55. Matt Van Cleave 76-75=151. T58. Josh Persons 82-70=152. T69. Tim Moody 82-75=157.