MAPLE GROVE, Minn. – Led by sophomore Isaac Schmidt and junior Josh Sansom, the St. Olaf College men's golf team sat fifth in the nine-team standings following the first round of the 2023 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Men's Golf Championships held on Saturday at Rush Creek Golf Club.

Schmidt and Sansom posted identical one-over scores of 73 to tie for 12th after the first of the tournament's three rounds, trailing the leader by four shots through 18 holes. The duo helped the Oles to a team score of 300 (+12), which left St. Olaf just four shots out of third place heading into the second round.

Saint John's University held a one-shot lead over Bethel University with a four-under 284, followed by Concordia-Moorhead (296, +8) and Gustavus Adolphus College (298, +10). The Oles closed out the day three shots ahead of sixth-place Macalester College (303, +15).

Schmidt bettered his season average by over three strokes with his opening-round 73 that included 15 pars, two bogeys, and one birdie, while Sansom carded a pair of birdies during his one-over round. Senior Tyler Leibl joined Schmidt and Sansom in the top 20 with a four-over 76 to tie for 20th, while first year Ike Vessey provided the team's fourth counting score with a 78 (+6) to tie for 27th after round one.

As a team, St. Olaf shot even par on the par threes to lead the nine teams in par-three scoring. Senior Leonardo Acerbi was one under on the par threes, while Sansom, Schmidt, and Vessey were all even par.

Day two of the 54-hole tournament gets under way at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1 at Rush Creek.