Cobras T6 at Innishbrook after Day One

Playing on the famed Copperhead Course, home of the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship, the Cobras rattled in 23 birdies over 36 holes and led the field in pars with 108 on the par 71 layout that plays 7,209 yards.

"We played some good golf on a superb golf course," Coker head coach John Hackney said. "We had a lot of scores around par, but none of our guys went low, so maybe that will happen tomorrow. We are only 11 shots out of the lead, which is nothing on a tough track, especially since the wind is supposed to really blow tomorrow."

Lee University leads at -4, followed by host West Florida at -2. Tampa (+5), Grand Valley State (+5) and Florida Southern (+6). Coker, Lander and Lynn are tied at +7. Defending National Champ Nova Southeastern is 9th at +12.

Senior Jonathan Halinger once again paces the Cobras at even par after rounds of 70-72, good for 15th in a field of 90 players. Senior Caleb Tidd (72-71) is tied for 19th, fifth-year senior Killian Ryan (71-73) is tied for 23rd, and junior Derek McGlaughlin (74-72) is tied for 35th. Senior Aaron Teece carded rounds of 80 and 76.

The Cobras were +7 on the par 3s over 36 holes, +18 on the par 4s, and -4 on the par 5s. Tidd had 27 pars (third best in the field) and was even par on the par 4s (fifth best). Ryan, Hallinger, and Tidd all played the par 3s even par. Ryan and Hallinger finished 3-under each for the day on the par 5s.

"We really have some high-level players," Hackney said, "and they are holding serve against some of the nation's best. The guys said we are currently ahead of three teams in the top six in the national Bushnell Coaches Poll. We didn't really make a lot of birdies today, but our guys made some excellent par saves and were really grinding out there. If we just have some more putts fall tomorrow, anything can happen."

The final 18 holes will begin Tuesday morning with an 8:15 shotgun start. The tournament is being featured on Golfstat.