Stanaland’s 3-under 67 leads Hawks in Rd. 1 of Emory Invitational

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. – Senior Jon Colten Stanaland fired his best collegiate round and the Huntingdon men's golf team shot its second best round of the spring in the opening round of the Emory Invitational on Saturday.

Stanaland turned in the Hawks' best round of the fall and spring season with a 3-under-par 67. He leads the field by a stroke entering Sunday's final round at Smoke Rise Country Club. The second-ranked Hawks shot 5-over 285 and are in first place by one stroke.

Third-ranked Emory and the Emory B-Team are tied for second at 6-over 286. Top-ranked Methodist is fourth with a 14-over 294.

Stanaland's round was three strokes off the Hawks' NCAA-era record of 64 set by Addison Lambeth last season in the Emory Invitational. Stanaland, who had tied his previous collegiate best of 70 in four rounds this season, has shot par or better eight times in 20 rounds this season.

Behind Stanaland, two other Hawks enter the final round within five strokes of first. Junior Mark Connelly shot a 1-over 71 and is tied for sixth and junior Stephen Shephard shot a 2-over 72 and is tied for 11th.

Sophomore Drew Mathers and junior Wyatt Adkison each shot 5-over 75 and are tied for 29th. Playing as an individual, junior Henry Gee shot 79 in the first round.

Director of Golf Dave Schreyer on Saturday's round: "We had tough conditions early today, but the guys just fought hard. When the weather broke we took full advantage and made up a ton of ground. I'm really happy for Jon. He played great and I'd love to see him do it again on Sunday. We're looking for some momentum heading into the postseason."

Coming Up: Huntingdon will play in Round 2 of the Emory Invitational on Sunday.