The Briar Cliff men's golf team fired an even par score of 288 Wednesday in the opening round of the Blue River Classic at Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, Nebraska.
 
"We battled today," said head coach Ben Irlbeck. "We had a tough stretch in the middle of the round but finished on a high note playing the last three holes at -5. The team continues to get stronger with each round. The guys chasing are pushing hard to challenge the top spots."
 
Andrew Arndorfer sits tied for fourth and just one stroke off the leaders, after an opening round score of 68 (-4). Arndorfer led the field in par four scoring, with an average of 3.6 strokes (-4). He rolled in seven birdies on the day.
 
"Andrew showed his leadership on the course putting his foot on the gas and not letting off," said Irlbeck. "Will look for the same approach tomorrow from all the guys."
 
Shaunak Rama is tied for 12th with his score of 72 (E). Rama converted four birdies on the day and had the second-best scoring average on the par fives at 4.25 (-3). Elijah Lamoureux and Mason Collins both shot two-over par 74's and are tied for 27th. Collins tallied three birdies on the day and Lamoureux had two. Desmond Landin was the fifth golfer for the Chargers and finished with a score of 78 with four birdies.
 
Gregorio Fernandez, Davess Verdugo and Braxton Brockhaus are competing individually in the tournament. Fernandez is tied for 12th with an even par 72, tallying two birdies. Verdugo fired a 75 (+3) with two birdies and Brockhaus shot an 85.
 
Briar Cliff will travel to Eagle, Nebraska tomorrow for round two of the Blue River Classic at Woodland Hills Golf Course.