DESTIN, Fla. — No. 25 Averett University men's golf sits in 14th place, 13 shots off the lead in a tightly contested field of the top Division III golf teams after Sunday's first round at the Golfweek Division III Invitational. The Cougars shot a collective 12-over-par 296 during the first 18 holes at the par-71, 6,651-yard Raven Golf Club.
 
Junior Antti Vahvaselka and freshman Max Pettersson are among 16 golfers tied for 23rd at 1-over for the tournament. No. 4 Carnegie Mellon University's Justin Chan leads the field at 4-under, which puts him one stroke ahead of three golfers at 3-under.

Sophomore Killian O'Reilly shot 3-over on the first day, senior Caleb Kimbrough shot 7-over and junior Casper Mellby shot 9-over during the opening day of the three-round event.

No. 9 Illinois Wesleyan University leads the field of 24 teams at 1-under. The tournament features 15 of the top 25 teams plus seven others receiving votes in the most recent Bushnell/Golfweek Division III poll.

Second round play is scheduled for Monday.