Laconia, Ind. - Battling through intense wind and rain Monday, the Marian men's golf team battled through the elements on the opening day of the Crossroads League Championships to hold second place through two completed rounds. Marian trails Taylor by one stroke entering the final round, and hold three golfers in the top-five.
On the opening day, teams played 36 holes, with Marian and Taylor separating themselves as the top-two teams in the Crossroads League. Marian carded a 299 in the opening round, one stroke off of Taylor's 298 to battle for the throne, while in the second round both teams shot a 300. Marian's +23 day of 599 is just one stroke behind Taylor's +22, 598, two-round total.
Marian and Taylor have separated themselves from the field, sitting 22 shots ahead of third place Indiana Wesleyan. Spring Arbor and St. Francis comprise the remainder of the top-five, holding respective fourth and fifth place positions on the leaderboard.
Individually, Marian had great performances from all five players on the opening day, with each Knight placing 15th or better through 36 holes.
Brandon Heffner leads the Knights in second place overall, shooting a 70 in the opening round and a 78 in the second for a 148 score, two strokes behind leader Noah Ross of Taylor. Heffner led the tournament after round one with his 70, as he is the only player in the field through two rounds with a score under par.
Right behind Heffner is
Sam Slaughter, who holds third place after one round. Slaughter shot a 76 in round one and 73 in round two, totaling a 149 score. The sophomore had the shot of the tournament in round one with an ace on the par-three 15, draining a hole-in-one from 177 yards away.
Weston Ogden ended the day in the top-five, sitting in a three-way tie with Taylor's Javan Johnson and Erik Fahlen. Ogden shot a 77 in his opening round, gaining ground after rebounding with a 73 in round two to join the tie at 150.
Luke Beetz sits in a tie for 10th after day one with his 153 score, shooting a 76 in round one and 77 in round two.
Patrick Guymon holds a tie for 15th after two rounds, as the Marian senior shot a 78 and 77 in his first 36 holes to end the day with a 155 score.
Marian will aim to win their first Crossroads League Championship since 2015, as play resumes with round three on Tuesday. The start time for the final round is approximately 9:15 with Guymon leading off the final round.
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