Junior Thomas Wettstein (Neenah, Wis./Xavier) fired and even-par round of 72 to be in a tie for second, and the Valparaiso men’s golf team is in third place but just two strokes behind Loyola after the opening round of the Horizon League Championship at the Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla on Friday.

The Crusaders posted a team score of 301 in the opening round. Loyola leads with a total of 299. Cleveland State’s Andrew Bailey shot a 2-under round of 70 to lead Wettstein and Loyola’s Nick Dennis by two shots.

"The team understands that this tournament is three rounds over three days," Valparaiso head coach David Gring said. "Every day is a new round and we are pleased with our position after day one.

Wettstein carded five birdies in his round. He bookended his round with a pair birdies, starting his day with a birdie at the par-5 1^st hole, and capping the round with a birdie on the 18^th.

"His round was rock solid with five birdies on a good golf course," Gring said. "His ball-striking today was terrific."

Senior Austin Gaugert (Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger) is tied for sixth after shooting a round of 75. Gaugert made three birdies on his round, including two on the front nine.

Junior Kyle Henning (Brookfield, Wis./East) and fifth-year senior Brad Winters (Elgin, Ill./Saint Edward [Dayton]) each fired rounds of 77. Winters posted three birdies on his scorecard, while Henning had two. The duo is tied for 13^th place.

Senior Andy Webb (Bedford, Ind./North Lawrence) is tied for 34^th place after an opening round 85.

"We lost important shots on the four par-3's today," Gring said. "We need to improve on those. We're looking forward to the second round."

The Crusaders continue play for the Mission Inn Resort on Saturday with the second round of the Horizon League Championship. A link for live stats will be available on www.valpoathletics.com.