STEVINSON, Calif. - Battling through the rain and the wind, the Kansas State men's golf team stands in second place after the first two rounds of the Stevinson Ranch Invitational. The Wildcats led the field after round one with a score of 295, but a second-round 302 dropped the Wildcats into second place at 597. Host school Colorado leads the event, one shot ahead of K-State, at 596. Drake is three shots back of the Wildcats at 600.

Despite the conditions, head coach Tim Norris was pleased with what his team accomplished on day one.

"The last three hours of play was in a steady rain, sometimes heavy, with lots of wind," Norris commented. "Our guys did really well and we will see what happens tomorrow."

Individually, Oklahoma City's Daniel Mitchell leads with a two-round total of 144, the only golfer to shoot par or better.

Two shots back of Mitchell is Ben Kern who carded a pair of 73's, and currently stands third. Kern, who has placed second individually the past two years on the par 72, 7,206-yard Stevinson Ranch Golf Club, is position to claim a top-5 spot yet again according to Norris.

"This is a very good course for him," said Norris. "He is playing it well again this year and if he can convert a few more putts tomorrow, it should be right in it."

Another Wildcat in the top ten after day one is freshman Robert Streb who carded a 73-75-148 (+4). He is currently in a five-way tie for sixth.

Kyle Yonke also fired a first-round 73, but slipped during round two. He stands at 8-over par 152, which currently ties him for 24th. One stroke back of Yonke is Tyler Cummins who is tied for 32nd. Joe Kinney carded a first-day score of 157 and is tied for 47th.

Competing individually, Jonathan James is tied for 16th after rounds of 74 and 76 to sit at 6-over par 150.

The Kansas State men's golf team will conclude the Stevinson Ranch Invitational tomorrow with an 8 a.m. (PST) shotgun start to the final round. Results will be posted on www.k-statesports.com as soon as they become available.

Stevinson Ranch Invitational
Stevinson, Calif.
Stevinson Ranch Golf Club
Par: 72; Yardage: 7,206

Team Scores: 1. Colorado, 298-298-596 (+20); 2. Kansas State, 295-302-597 (+21); 3. Drake, 303-297-600 (+24); 4. Wichita State, 297-304-601 (+25); 5. Boise State, 306-296-602 (+26); T6. Missouri, 306-299-605 (+29); T6. Illinois State, 300-305-605 (+29); 8. CSU-Stanislaus, 297-310-607 (+31); 9. Birmingham Southern, 298-312-610 (+34); 10. Oklahoma City, 308-307-615 (+39); 11. Iowa State, 311-307-618 (+42); T12. CSU-Chico, 309-315-624 (+48); T12. CSU-Monterey Bay, 322-302-624 (+48); 14. Air Force, 323-311-634 (+58).

Top Individuals: 1. Daniel Mitchell, Ok. City, 70-74-144 (E); 2. Ross Hamann, Drake, 76-69-145 (+1); 3. Ben Kern, K-State, 73-73-146 (+2); T4. Cameron Bishop, WSU, 73-74-147 (+3); T4. Matt Miller, Ill. St., 72-75-147 (+3).

K-State Individuals: T6. Robert Streb, 73-75-148 (+4); T16. Jonathan James*, 74-76-150 (+6); T24. Kyle Yonke, 73-79-152 (+8); T32. Tyler Cummins, 76-77-153 (+9); T47. Joe Kinney, 80-77-157 (+13).

* Denotes competing as individual