LAWRENCE, Kan. Kansas State’s Mitchell Gregson improved three strokes from round one to round two on Monday and was one of two Wildcats in the top-20 after the first day of competition at the Kansas Invitational. K-State was second at the conclusion of two rounds at Alvamar Golf Club, trailing host Kansas by five strokes.

Gregson, who shot a 75 in the first round to open the fall schedule, carded a 72 in the second for a day one total of 147 (+3) and a tie for 10th place. Robert Streb joined Gregson in the top-20 after shooting a 75-74149 (+5).

As a team, the Wildcats’ shaved one stroke off the total score between rounds and trailed only the Jayhawks after shooting a 298-297595. At the conclusion of day one, Kansas State held a one stroke lead on Oral Roberts, UNC-Wilmington and Houston.

Somewhat of a surprise after the first day was the play of K-State freshman Kyle Smell. Playing as an individual and not contributing to the team score, Smell burst onto the links in his collegiate debut and fired a 72 in the opening round to tie for the lead. After shooting a 74 in the second round, Smell was tied for fifth place overall at 2-over 146. 

Joe Ida tallied a 73 in his first round for a 73-77150 (+6) and was tied with teammate Spencer Alefs, who carded a 76-74150 (+6), for 21st. Kyle Yonke was just two strokes off their pace at 75-77152 (+8).

The Wildcats will look to improve on their solid start when third-round play begins at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Results from the Kansas Invitational at Alvamar Golf Club will be posted on www.k-statesports.com as soon as they are available.

Kansas Invitational

Alvamar G.C.

Lawrence, Kan.

Par 72, 7,092 yards

Team Scores: 1. Kansas 298-292590 (+14); 2. Kansas State 298-297595 (+19); T3. Oral Roberts 295-301596 (+20); T3. UNC-Wilmington 292-304596 (+20); T3. Houston 304-292596 (+20); 6. Nebraska 304-296600 (+24); 7. Western Kentucky 301-300601 (+25); 8. Drake University 302-304606 (+30); T9. UC Davis 305-303608 (+32); T9. Cleveland State 299-309608 (+32); T11. South Dakota State 304-305609 (+33); T11. Missouri State 302-307609 (+33); T11. UMKC 301-308609 (+33); 14. North Texas 310-302612 (+36);15. Wyoming 300-320620 (+44); 16. Illinois State 315-313628 (+52).

Top Individuals: 1. Jordan Irwin, Houston, 74-70144 (E); T2. Will Shambley, UNC-Wilmington, 73-72145 (+1); T2. Luke Joy, Drake, 74-71145 (+1); T2. Nate Barbee, Kansas, 73-72145 (+1); T5. Walt Koebel, Kansas, 77-69146 (+2); T5. Ben Moser, Houston, 76-70146 (+2); T5. Austin Hannah, Oral Roberts, 73-73146 (+2); T5. Mike Coatman, Nebraska, 72-74146 (+2); T5. *Kyle Smell, Kansas State, 72-74146 (+2).

*competing as an individual

K-State Individuals: T10. Mitchell Gregson 75-72147 (+3); T17. Robert Streb 75-74149 (+5); T21. Joe Ida 73-77150 (+6); T21. Spencer Alefs 76-74150 (+6); T39. Kyle Yonke 75-77152 (+8).