Tucson, Ariz. (March 17, 2023) -- An even-par second round highlighted the Wyoming Cowboys' first day of competition at the Arizona N.I.T. in Tucson, Ariz., on Friday.  The Cowboys will enter Saturday's final round in 12th place with a two-round total of 585 (+9), two strokes ahead of 13th-place San Diego at 587 (+11).  Senior Kirby Coe-Kirkham is Wyoming's top individual after the first 36 holes, tying for 36th out of 84 individuals at 144 (Even).  The 13-team N.I.T. field includes nine teams ranked in the Top 30 teams in the country.
 
Coe-Kirkham's afternoon round featured a lot of highlights, including one eagle, five birdies and seven pars, but he ended up at even par for the round after suffering three bogeys and two double bogeys.  It was Coe-Kirkham's second consecutive even par round of the day.  One stroke back of Coe-Kirkham is UW sophomore Patrick Azevedo, who shot rounds of 73 (+1) and 72 (Even) for a total of 145 (+1).  Azevedo is tied for 45th.  Sophomore Jaren Calkins shot Wyoming's low round in the afternoon, with a 71 (-1) to go with an opening round of 76 (+4) and is tied for 56th at 147 (+3).  Sophomore Kristof Panke is tied for 66th at 149 (+5), and senior Tyler Severin is tied for 73rd at 150 (+6).

"Coming into this, if the season ended today all 12 opponents we are facing in this tournament would be in the NCAA Tournament field," said Joe Jensen, UW Director of Golf.  "The positive for us is that we are getting to compete in this elite field.  I am proud of the even-par round we shot in the second round on Friday.  Kirby (Coe-Kirkham) was in position to have a really good round, but had a couple tough holes.  Even with that, he is still competing with some of the top individuals in the country, and our other guys are right behind him.  I want to have our team compete against these types of teams.  This is what is going to make us better.  It is also an advantage to play this course as the Mountain West Championship will be played on this course in April."
 
The USC Trojans lead the race for the team title, posting a 36-hole total of 557 (-19).  They hold a four-stroke lead over host Arizona, who is at 561 (-15).  Arizona State is in third at 562 (-14), and Illinois is the fourth team who posted a score of double-digits under par with a 565 (-11).  Entering the tournament the Golfstat national college golf rankings broke down as follows: Arizona State (No. 2), Illinois (4), Pepperdine (9), Florida (12), Oklahoma (13), Arizona (18), Colorado State (21), Oklahoma State (22), San Diego State (27), New Mexico (56), San Diego (57), USC (68) and Wyoming (111).
 
In the individual competition, Zach Pollo of Arizona and Matthew Troutman of Oklahoma are tied for first at 135 (-9).  They hold a one-stroke lead over Jackson Rivera of USC, who posted a 136 (-8).
 
The 13-team field will tee off in the third and final round on Saturday morning at the Omni Tucson National Golf Club, which measures 7,200 yards and plays to a par of 72.
Team Standings
1.   Southern California             283-274=557 (-19)
2.   Arizona                                282-279=561 (-15)
3.   Arizona State                       274-288=562 (-14)
4.   Illinois                                  280-285=565 (-11)
5.   Florida                                 282-285=567 (-9)
      New Mexico                         280-287=567 (-9)
7.   Oklahoma                            280-289=569 (-7)
      Oklahoma State                   284-285=569 (-7)
9.   San Diego State                  289-282=571 (-5)
      Pepperdine                          286-285=571 (-5)
11. Colorado State                     290-287=577 (+1)
12. Wyoming                            297-288=585 (+9)
13. San Diego                            289-298=587 (+11)

Wyoming Cowboys Individual Standings
T36      Kirby Coe-Kirkham        72-72=144 (Even)
T45      Patrick Azevedo             73-72=145 (+1)
T56      Jaren Calkins                 76-71=147 (+3)
T66      Kristof Panke                 76-73=149 (+5)
T73      Tyler Severin                  76-74=150 (+6)