MESA, Ariz. - The Kirkwood men's golf team struggled in the first  round of the NJCAA Division II national tournament in Arizona Tuesday.

The Eagles shot a four-man score of 300 and are tied for eighth place,  23 shots behind Mississippi Gulf Coast.

"Not the start we wanted, but the kids played hard," KCC Coach Darin  Pint reported. "Just didn't have it today. Have three more days to improve our position."

Louis Flynn led the Eagles with a 1-over-par 72 and is tied for 14th  place after 18 holes. Niall Powell, an Honorable Mention All-American, struggled with a 9-over 80.

Jackson Wedgeworth fired a 5-under 66 to help Mississippi Gulf Coast  take the lead after Day 1. The 72-hole tournament continues through Friday.

TEAM STANDINGS

1. Mississippi Gulf Coast 277, 2. Tyler Junior College 285, 3. (tie)  Mesa Community College 287, Murray State College 287, 5. South Mountain 293, 6. Illinois Central 296, 7. Meridian 297, 8. (tie)  Kirkwood 300, Parkland 300, 10. Copiah-Lincoln 301, 11. Mott 302, 12. Oakland 306, 13. (tie) Grand Rapids 308, Abraham-Baldwin 308, 15. Iowa  Central 309, 16. (tie) Southeast 313, Black Hawk 313, 18. Walters  State 317, 19. DMACC 328, 20. Waubonsee 339.

KIRKWOOD: Louis Flynn 72, Charles Hartwig 74, Jordan Even 74, Niall Powell 80, JD Goodfellow 80.