Huntingdon in the lead after Rd. 1 of NCAA Tournament

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – The top-ranked Huntingdon men's golf team leads the field after the opening round of the NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championship on Tuesday.

The Hawks shot 5-over-par 293 and lead the 42-team tournament by three strokes. Entering Wednesday's second round, second-ranked University of Texas-Tyler, eighth-ranked Rhodes College and sixth-ranked LaGrange College are tied for second at 8-over 296.

Huntingdon senior Addison Lambeth, the top-ranked golfer in Division III, turned in Tuesday's best round with a 3-under 69. Christopher Newport's David Rabil and Wittenberg's Cameron Willis are tied for second at 2-under 70.

Huntingdon sophomore Stephen Shephard is three strokes off the lead and tied for 10th with an even-par 72.

"I'm excited about our finish today. The boys shook off a poor start and closed like a freight train," Huntingdon Director of Golf Dave Schreyer said. "Addison looked good today. He has been under the weather for a few days coming into the event but he bounced back like the No. 1 player in the nation usually does.

"It was great to see Stephen make a comeback like he did today. He is maturing into a player that will lead this team in the future.

"With the first day jitters over, I'm looking for some exciting golf out of the boys."

Behind Lambeth and Shephard, senior Chad Ring and junior Jon Colten Stanaland each shot 4-over 76 and are tied for 53rd. Senior Will Thrash shot 79 in the first round.

To follow the tournament during the final three rounds, click here.