Freshman leads DWU men to 2nd after day one in Yankton

YANKTON, S.D. – The 2016-17 Dakota Wesleyan University men's and women's golf seasons got underway at the Mount Marty Invite Thursday in Yankton, S.D., with the Tiger men showing they will be a force in the Great Plains Athletic Conference in the second season under head coach Chris Gomez.

The DWU men are in second place, just one stroke behind long-time GPAC powerhouse Northwestern College, as an experienced Tiger team was led by an upstart freshman. Connor Preston (Aberdeen, S.D.) got his DWU career off to a fast start, firing an opening round 70. Preston is in second place on the overall leaderboard, one-shot off the lead.

DWU junior Russell Pick (Kimball, S.D.) and senior Thomas Hogg (Aberdeen, S.D.) each carded a 73 to tie for third on the individual leaderboard, while senior transfer Coleman Caldwell (Chamberlain, S.D.) added a 76 and tied for 17^th. The Tiger men combined for a 292 at Fox Run Golf Course and will look to surpass Northwestern on day two at Hillcrest Country Club.

The 13-time GPAC champion DWU women are looking to rebuild in 2016-17 after several key departures from last season's team. A familiar face has returned with junior Kristin Sabers (Mitchell, S.D.) leading the Tigers with a season-opening 85 to tie for 14^th. Sophomore Nicole Nelson (Platte, S.D.) shot a 90 to tie for 27^th as the Tigers look to improve on day two.

The Tigers continue the Mount Marty Invite Friday at Hillcrest.