FORT COLLINS, Colo. Kansas State opened its 2004-05 season in third place after two rounds at the Ptarmigan/Ram Fall Classic Monday. The Wildcats carded a 598 on the day, with rounds of 298 and 300. Sophomore Helene Robert leads the Wildcat squad with a two-round total of 145 for sixth place.

Head coach Kristi Knight said that although the team struggled on the par five holes, the start to the season was one she was  happy about.

 “We need to do better on the par fives,” Knight said. “We had some wasted shots on those holes. But I’m pleased with how we opened the season with this first 36-hole day. We kept our chins up and we didn’t get too high or too low.  We just trudged along and kept battling.”

Robert, the team leader on the day, said she was impressed with the play of the two competing freshmen - Kali Quick and Hailey Mireles. Quick is in a tie for 14th, after carding a combined 149, while Mireles shot rounds of 80 and 78 to tie for 54th going into the final 18 holes.

Knight said Robert had an especially good round in the first 18, and that she stayed patient, taking what the course gave her throughout the day.

 “I lost my focus on the last three holes and bogeyed each of them,” Robert said. “I need to stay in it all 18 holes and be patient. There are a lot of birdie opportunities that I just need to wait for and not force.”

Sisters Sarah and Katy Heffel shot consistent rounds. The senior Heffel, Sarah, tied with teammate Mireles and two other competitors, with rounds of 78 and 80 to tie for 54th. Katy, a sophomore, fired two rounds of 74 to sit in a tie for 12th place after the first day of competition.

Kansas State sits only two strokes behind second-place San Jose State and 17 strokes behind leading Colorado State, the host of the tournament.

 “We are looking forward to tomorrow,” Robert said. “We are in a position to make our move and win that thing.”

The Wildcats continue play at the Ptarmigan/Ram Fall Classic Tuesday in Ft. Collins, Colo.

Team Scores: 1. Colorado State 292-289--581 2. San Jose State 299-297--596 3. Kansas State 298-300--598 4. San Francisco 290-313603 5. Colorado 302-304--606 6. Long Beach State 304-303--607 T7. Montana 306-304--610, Portland State 305-305--610, Boise State 298-312-610 10. Fresno State 302-309--611 11. Denver 312-303--615 12. Arkansas State 309-315--624 13. Northern Colorado 310-317--627 14. Nevada 309-319628 15. Montana State 314-318--632 16. Wyoming 315-319--634 17. Gonzaga 323-320--643 18. Weber State 327-320647.

Top Individuals: T1. Laura Luethke, Fresno State, 68-74--142, Jessica Potter, USF, 68-74--142 T3. Kay Hoey, Long Beach State, 73-71--144, Hannah Hoch, Colorado, 73-71--144, Margaret Garehime, Colorado State, 75-69144.

Wildcat Individuals: 6. Helene Robert 70-75--145 T12. Katy Heffel 74-74--148 T14. Kali Quick 76-73--149 T54. Sarah Heffel 78-80--158, Hailey Mireles 80-78158.