Nathan Chilcott and Ryan Palser fired 72's Saturday to help the Kirkwood Eagles share first place after the first day of the Cropper Golf Classic at Hunters Ridge in Marion.

Kirkwood and Illinois Wesleyan are tied for the top spot in the 19-team field with four-man scores of 298 in the tight standings.

Ryan Schrimper of Mount Mercy shot a 3-under-par 69 to lead the field Saturday. Mount Mercy is hosting the tournament and the Mustangs are in fifth place, just four shots behind the leaders.

The final round is scheduled for Sunday.

Team Standings

1. (tie) Kirkwood 298, Illinois Wesleyan 298, 3. AIB 299, 4. St. Xavier 300, 5. Mount Mercy 302, 6. (tie) Black Hawk 304, Clarke 304, 8. Mount Mercy Gold 305, 9. Dakota Wesleyan 306, 10. Grand View 308, 11. Viterbo Cardinal 313, 12. Viterbo Silver 318, 13. Wartburg 320, 14. DMACC 321, 15. Iowa Wesleyan 325, 16. St. Francis 328, 17. Buena Vista 332, 18. William Penn 337, 19. Waldorf 343.

Top 5 Individuals

1. Ryan Schrimper, Mount Mercy   69
2. Andy Fraser, AIB                     70
3. James Kerr, St. Xavier              71
4t. Nathan Chilcott, Kirkwood       72
4t. Ryan Palser, Kirkwood             72
4t. Bennett Laxton, Viterbo         72

Kirkwood - 4. Nathan Chilcott 72, 4. Ryan Palser 72, 11. Sheldon Gryp 74, 57. Blaine Buhr 80, 82. Kurtis Christensen 84, 103. Drew Digmann 88.

Mount Mercy - 1. Ryan Schrimper 69, 25. Dalton Stevens 76, 31. Jack South 77, 57. Jacob Selander 80, 67. Colton Clemmer 81.

Mount Mercy Gold - 7. Lucas Mulholland 73, 7. Matt Schlueter 73, 37. Jamie Booth 78, 67. Ben Franklin 81, 88. Warren Bynoe 85.