ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Gustavus men's golf team is in second after day one of the SJU Spring Invitational, trailing only the host Johnnies, with a 296 (+8) in Saturday's (April 26) first round at Wapicada Golf Club (par 72).

Four Gusties are in the top 10 and five more make the cut for the top 25 in the field of 85 golfers, led by Pelayo Perez Crespo, who's in second place overall.

Perez Crespo (Jr., Sotogrande, Spain) is leading the Gustie "A" team with a one-under par 71. The junior shot five-under through the first nine, carding five birdies and four pars, including a two-shot birdie on hole five. He's three shots behind SJU's Tim Fultz in first. 

MIAC Athlete of the Week Jimmy Abdo (Fy., Edina, Minn.) and Chris Gutuza (Jr., Johannesburg, South Africa) are sharing ninth after round one, each carding a 74 (+2). Abdo picked up a trio of birdies in round one, while Gutuza posted two and 12 pars. 

Jack Reinardy (Sr., Andover, Minn.) is in 22nd to round out the top four on the first team with a 77 and a pair of birdies. Teddy Kaste (Sr., Apple Valley, Minn.) shot a 79 with a birdie and 12 pars for 40th overall.

Leading the Gustie "B" team is Blake Forrest (So., Maple Grove, Minn.) in fourth, as the sophomore shot an even 72 with a trio of birdies on day one. Aradheea Gawade (Fy., Mumbai, India) posted a 75 for 14th overall, carding a birdie five holes, including a four-under performance through the first nine. 

Both Caleb McBee (Sr., Glendale, Ariz.) and Cameron Longie (Sr., Hutchinson, Minn.) share 22nd alongside Reinardy with a 77. Tommy Hiniker (5th, Edina, Minn.) posted a day one 82 with a two-shot birdie on hole five for 59th.

Cole Paulson (Jr., Sauk Rapids, Minn.) is leading the Gustie individuals after posting a three-over 75. Paulson shot an even 25 through the first nine and carded three birdies in his final five holes for a season-best round for the junior. Wyat Carlson (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) carded a 79 with two birdies, while Tomas Rohrborn (Sr., Santiago, Chile) posted an 85.

"Proud of the way our guys started out on the front nine today. It was ideal scoring conditions and that helped with our start," said assistant coach Randall Stuckey '83. "Our last nine was not as sharp, as we lost scoring opportunities on par fives because we missed fairways and needed to lay up or punch out. We feel we are in a good position for tomorrow's play as we are good chasers. We are playing our best golf last week and this week. 

"Pelayo really had a great round today going one under for second place and also Blake Forrest, Jimmy Abdo, and Chris Gutuza placing in the top 10. Tomorrow will be a fun yet difficult day as it will be the last round for our seniors. We hope they will have a memorable day."

Competition concludes with a 10 a.m. shotgun on tomorrow, April 27, at Monticello Country Club (par 71).