ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The Averett University men's golf team is tied for eighth place after the first round of the USA South Conference Tournament on Friday at Benvenue Country Club.

Averett shot a collective 44-over-par 332 on the par-72, 6,547-yard course. Methodist University carded a 3-over 291 to lead the field after the first day. The Monarchs currently sit 14-strokes over Huntingdon College.

Freshman Samuli Ahvenoja turned in a 7-over-par 79 to pace the Cougars and finish the first round tied for 17th. Checking in behind Ahvenoja was fellow freshman Johan Arwedahl who recorded a 10-over to finish tied for 27th. Junior Marc Wallstedt fired a 12-over-par 84, while freshman Victor Hole scored a 15-over 87. Sophomore Tuomas Tyry rounded out the scorecard for Averett with an 18-over.

The Monarchs' Jackson Collier shot an impressive 4-under-par 68 to finish the first round atop the leaderboard.

The Cougars swing back into action tomorrow when they compete in the second of the three-round of the tournament.