The Kirkwood men's golf team finds itself in the thick of a tight battle heading into the final round of the Mount Mercy Fall Invitational Sunday at Hunters Ridge.

The top four teams in the tournament were separated by just three shots after the first round Saturday with Missouri Valley at 293, Indian Hills at 294, Kirkwood at 295 and Mount Mercy at 296. Culver-Stockton is just another two shots back at 298.

Chad Nitz of Mount Mercy grabbed the 18-hole lead at 70. Jordan Even of Kirkwood is in second place at 71 and J.D. Goodfellow of Kirkwood is tied for third at 72.

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Missouri Valley 293, 2. Indian Hills 294, 3. Kirkwood 295, 4. Mount Mercy 296, 5. Culver-Stockton 298, 6. Nebraska Wesleyan 303, 7. Grand View 305, 8. Graceland 309, 9. (tie) Quincy 311, Saint Ambrose 311, 11. Missouri Valley II 312, 12. (tie) Black Hawk 314, Mount Mercy II 314, 14. Waldorf 325, 15. Simpson 327, 16. Wartburg 328, 17. Coe 334, 18. Buena Vista 354.

KIRKWOOD: Jordan Even 71, J.D. Goodfellow 72, Charlie Hartwig 74, Max Thrune 78, Niall Powell 82.