Phoenix, Ariz. (March 15, 2019) --  A five-under par round of 279 in Friday's second round moved the Wyoming Cowboys up three spots into a tie for ninth place with host Grand Canyon University on the first day of competition at the Grand Canyon Invitational being played in Phoenix, Ariz.  Wyoming has a combined 36-hole total of 569 (+1) heading into Saturday's final 18-hole round.  There are 18 collegiate teams playing in this week's tournament that is being held at the Grand Canyon University Golf Course. 
     
Play was suspended on Friday due to darkness with two individuals in one group yet to finish their final hole of the second round, resulting in partial scores being reported on Friday.  Those golfers will conclude their second round on Saturday morning immediately prior to the start of the tournament's third and final round.
     
Cowboy junior Dan Starzinski and sophomore Carl Underwood led Wyoming's strong second round on Friday afternoon.  Starzinski fired a 67 (-4), and Underwood contributed a 69 (-2) to fuel the outstanding afternoon round by the Pokes.  Starzinski is tied for sixth out of 112 collegiate golfers with a two-round score of 137 (-5).  He is followed by senior John Murdock, who is tied for 33rd at 143 (+1).  Underwood is in 50th place at 145 (+3).  The other two Pokes playing for the UW team are true freshmen Kirby Coe-Kirkham and Tyler Severin, who are both tied for 59th at 146 (+4).  Cowboy freshman Jimmy Dales and redshirt freshman Jared Edeen are competing as individuals.  Dales shot an impressive second round 68.  He is tied for 87th at 150 (+8).  Edeen is tied for 94th at 151 (+9).
     
"It was a solid, solid day for us," said Joe Jensen, University of Wyoming Director of Golf.  "We need to continue to gain confidence and that only comes from playing competitive rounds and making decisions out on the golf course.  I was very pleased to see the competitiveness shown by our team this afternoon. 
     
"We shot a five-under par round in the afternoon.  Dan (Starzinski) shot a 67 this afternoon.  Jimmy (Dales) also bounced back and shot a 68 in the afternoon round, playing as an individual.  Carl (Underwood) was our third player who shot in the 60s this afternoon (69).
     
"I felt like all seven guys played well for us at times today, particularly in the second round this afternoon."
     
Missouri-Kansas City leads the tournament at 553 (-15).  Missouri is in second, although with one of their players yet to complete his final hole.  Missouri is at -10.  Leading the individual competition is Jamie Stewart of Missouri, who is at -8, but he is the Tiger with one hole left to complete in the second round.  Yannik Emmert of Wichita State is one shot back at -7.
     
The Grand Canyon Invitational is being played at the Grand Canyon University Golf Course in Phoenix, Ariz.  The course measured 7,200 yards on Day 1 of the tournament for Rounds 1 and 2 and will measure 7,136 yards on Day 2 for the final round.  The course will play to a Par of 71 for all three rounds.
 
1.   Missouri - Kansas City          282-271=553 (-15)
2.   Missouri                              278- (-4 Thru 17)= (-10)
3.   UT-Rio Grande Valley           285-275-=560 (-8)
4.   Pacific                                 278-284=562 (-6)
5.   UTEP                                   281-282=563 (-5)
6.   Wichita State                      281-284=565 (-3)
7.   Northern Colorado              288-279=567 (-1)
8.   North Dakota State             286-282=568 (Even)
9.   Wyoming                            290-279=569 (+1)
      Grand Canyon                     293- (-8 Thru 17)= (+1)
11.  Hawai'i                               296-283=579 (+11)
      Idaho                                  295-284=579 (+11)
13.  Samford                             285-295=580 (+12)
14.  Omaha                               286-298=584 (+16)
15.  Western Carolina                 292-293=585 (+17)
16.  Sacramento State                289-297=586 (+18)
17.  Columbia                            298-297=595 (+27)
18.  UC Riverside                        295-303=598 (+30)
 
Wyoming Cowboys' Individual Standings
T6 Dan Starzinski                       70-67=137 (-5)
T33 John Murdock                     72-71=143 (+1)
T50 Carl Underwood                 76-69=145 (+3)
T59 Kirby Coe-Kirkham              74-72=146 (+4)
T59 Tyler Severin                       74-72=146 (+4)
 
Wyoming Cowboys Playing as Individuals
T87 Jimmy Dales                        82-68=150 (+8)
T94 Jared Edeen                        74-77=151 (+9)