ALLENDALE,  Mich. – Freshman Sam Jernigan shot an opening round 70 to help St. Mary’s University to an eighth place team standing after the first day of the NCAA Midwest/South Central Regional, played at The Meadows Golf Club.

Jernigan (Fr., San Antonio) had 15 pars, two birdies and one bogey on the par-71 course in Monday’s opening round. He is three strokes out of first place heading into the second round. Steve Cuzzort of Wayne State University leads the field with a four-under par 67. He is followed by his teammate Joe Juszczyk, who is second at three-under. Two players are tied for third at two-under and three are tied with Jernigan for fifth.

Preston Akromis (Sr., San Antonio) and Matt Vela (So., San Antonio) are tied for 48th with four-under par 75s in the first round. Jeff Rein (So., Garden Ridge) is one stroke behind then at 76, good for a tie for 56th. Alex Maurer (Sr., St. Louis, Mo.) shot an opening round 80 and is tied for 100th.

In the team standings Wayne State leads by nine strokes over Central Missouri University, 278 to 287. Northeastern State University is third with a 291, St. Edward’s University and Ferris State University are tied for fourth at 292, Washburn University is sixth at 294, the University of Central Missouri is seventh with a 295, while St. Mary’s Missouri Southern State University and Grand Valley State University are all tied for eighth with 296s.

The NCAA Division II Midwest/South Central Regional will continue on Tuesday with the second round at The Meadows. The final round will be on Wednesday.

2009 NCAA Division II Men’s Midwest/South Central Regional
The Meadows, Allendale, Mich.
Par 71
Team Standings: 1. Wayne State 278, 2. Central Missouri 287, 3. Northeastern State 291, t4. St. Edward’s 292, t4. Ferris State 292, 6. Washburn 294, 7. Central Oklahoma 295, t8. St. Mary’s 296, t8. Missouri Southern State 296, t8. Grand Valley State 296, t11. Northern Kentucky 297, t11. Indianapolis 297, 13. Findlay 298, 14. Bellarmine 299, t15. Drury 301, t15. Texas A&M-Commerce 301, 17. Ashland 304, 18. Dallas Baptist 305, 19. Wisconsin-Parkside 308, 20. Abilene Christian 309.
Individual Standings: 1. Steve Cuzzort (WSU) 67, 2. Joe Juszczyk (WSU) 68, t3. Tyler Hering (GVSU) 69, t3. Jamie Voegeli (MSSU) 69.
St. Mary’s Individuals: t5. Sam Jernigan 70, t48. Preston Akromis 75, t48. Matt Vela 75, t56. Jeff Rein 76, t100. Alex Maurer 80.

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