WAVERLY - The Kirkwood men's golf team is locked in a tight battle with DMACC for top honors at the Wartburg Spring Invitational.

The Eagles finished the first round Friday with a four-man score of even-par 288, which is two shots behind DMACC heading into the final 18 holes Saturday at the Prairie Links Golf Course.

Ben Epperly of Kirkwood fired a 3-under-par 69 and trails Noah Hartman of DMACC by one shot. Ryan Morrison of Kirkwood is tied for third place at 2-under 70.

TEAM STANDINGS

1. DMACC 286, 2. Kirkwood 288, 3. Southwestern 295, 4. Iowa Lakes 300, 5. UW-Stout 306, 6. (tie) Coe 312, NIACC 312, 8. Carleton 313, 9. Wartburg 314, 10. Buena Vista 319, 11. St. Norbert 329, 12. Monmouth 331, 13. Hawkeye Community College 335, 14. Grinnell 336.

KIRKWOOD: Ben Epperly 69, Ryan Morrison 70, Sam Lockhart 71, Dawson Peters 72, Will Babcock 73, James Morgan 73, George Kalpakas 76.