LAWRENCE, Kan. - The Kansas State men’s golf team carded rounds of 290 and 293 and sit just three strokes off the pace set by Texas-San Antonio at the Kansas Invitational. Making its first appearance in the Kansas Invitational since 1999, K-State didn’t waste anytime getting acquainted with the unfamiliar par-72, 6,950-yard Alvamar Country Club. The Wildcats are in third place through the first 36 holes and trail only Texas-San Antonio and host Kansas in the 13-team field.

“It was a pretty good day,” head coach Tim Norris said. “We played pretty solid. In the afternoon, the wind came up a little bit and we went a little bit higher, but not too bad. We did a pretty nice job of keeping it respectable and we’ve got a chance tomorrow, and that’s all you can really ask for.”

Senior Matt Van Cleave fired a pair of 71s and is tied with Texas-San Antonio’s John Elizondo for the tournament lead at 2-under par. Coming off an eighth-place finish at the Inverness Intercollegiate, Van Cleave is vying for his second career victory as a Wildcat. The Maryville, Mo. product won the 2003 Purina Classic in convincing fashion last fall.

“I do think that he is a better player this year,” Norris said. “I don’t think that this is his best golf by any means. I think he is a much better player and I think he knows his own game better, which will carry him through. I think he’s got that ability to keep his high rounds a little bit lower than last year.”

Junior Tyler Cummins shook off a disappointing start to his Wildcat career at the Inverness and carded a 72-74146 and is tied for 12th. Junior co-captain Ben Kern battled through an early morning illness, and is tied for 20th at 148. Freshman Clay Hodge carded a 76-74150 and is tied for 32nd, while junior Jonathan James is tied for 37th at 151.

Playing as an individual, freshman Kyle Yonke is tied for 28th after carding a 72-77149.

The Wildcats conclude play at the KU Invitational on Tuesday. For complete results, please visit Kansas State’s website at www.kstatesports.com.

Men’s Collegiate Golf
KU Invitational
Lawrence, Kan.
Alvamar CC
Par:72; Yardage: 6,950

Team Scores: 1. Texas-San Antonio, 289-291580; 2. Kansas, 292-289581; 3. Kansas State, 290-293583; 4. Houston, 296-290586; 5. Nebraska, 289-298587; 6. Wichita State, 298-293591; 7. Northern Iowa, 300-298598; 8. Illinois State, 300-301603; 9. Oklahoma City, 304-301605; 10. UMKC, 300-306606; 11. Western Kentucky, 305-302607; 12. St. Louis, 303-305608; 13. South Dakota State, 324-319643.

Top Individuals: T1. Matt Van Cleave, (K-State) 71-71142 (-2); T1. John Elizondo, (UTSA) 70-72142 (-2); T3. Kevin Ward, (Kansas) 71-72143 (-1); T3. Pablo Acuna, (Houston) 72-71143 (-1); T3. *Barrett Martens, (Kansas) 75-68143 (-1).

Wildcat Individuals: T12. Tyler Cummins, 72-74146 (+2); T20. Ben Kern, 74-74148 (+4); T28. *Kyle Yonke, 72-77149 (+5) T32. Clay Hodge, 76-74150 (+6); T37. Jonathan James, 73-78151 (+7).

*Denotes Individual

K-StateSports Men's Golf

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