Five in contention after first round of Simpson Invite

ANKENY, Iowa - Five Simpson men's golfers are in contention and the Storm sit in a tie for sixth place as a team following the first round of the Simpson Spring Invitational at Otter Creek Golf Course.

Trent Lindenman, Blake Bender, Marshall Kray, Shaan Desai and Korbin Sesker are all within seven shots of the leaders as the Storm shot 309 as a team, tied with Central after the first round at Otter Creek's par-71, 6,895-yard layout.

Dubuque's Tyler Engelken and Nebraska Wesleyan's Matt Unruh each shot 1-under 70 to tie for the lead. Luther leads the team race after shooting 294, two strokes ahead of Dubuque and Wisconsin-Stout. Elliot Horst and Peter Kephart each shot even-par 71 to lead the Norse.

Lindenman made 13 pars and one birdie for a 4-over 75, one of six golfers tied for 13th after the opening round. Competing as individuals (scores don't count toward team total), Bender and Kray shot 5-over 76 to tie for 19th after 18 holes. Desai and Sesker each carded 77 on Sunday.

Mitchell Brown and Nick Hartman shot 80, Nathan Molstead 81 and Miller Hatcher 85 to round out Simpson's competitors.

Monday's final round is scheduled to begin with a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start at Indianola Country Club.