NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (May 16, 2023) – Junior Gus Vickers shot a 1-over 73 to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology golf team Tuesday at the opening round of the 2023 NCAA Division III Championship. 

Vickers carded two birdies and 13 pars to lead the Ducks to a team score of 302 and a tie for 21st place among the 43 competing institutions. The Ducks' score of 302 is the team's lowest single round in NCAA competition. Stevens is tied with Webster, who also finished with a 302.

St. John (Minn.) finished with a 284 and holds a one-stroke lead over Illinois Wesleyan. Christopher Newport is two shots back with Methodist (288), Piedmont (289) and Oglethorpe (289) rounding out the top-five. Individually, Illinois Wesleyan's Bobby Beaubin and Emory's Brian Hanson are tied for the lead through 18 holes, with each golfer finishing 5-under. There are four players one shot off the pace.

All teams will play on both courses at the Keene Trace Golf Club. The Ducks played Tuesday's round on the Champion Trace Course, a par 72 course that covers 6,974 yards. Wednesday, the Ducks will move over to Keene Run, also a par 72 course and covers 6,701 yards. After Wednesday's play has been completed, the field will be cut to the top 18 teams and top six individuals not on one of those teams.

First-year Austin Liao finished the day one stroke behind Vickers at 2-over 74. The Warren, New Jersey native carded three birdies and 11 pars. Senior Eegan McDermott also carded three birdies and finished one stroke behind Liao and two behind Vickers. Sophomore Eduardo Terlaje and senior Miles Philion combined for two birdies and finished 8-over and 10-over, respectively, to round out the Ducks' scores.

As a team, the Ducks carded 10 birdies and 51 pars. 

Up Next: The Ducks are set to tee off for the final day of competition at 10 a.m. Links for live stats and video are posted to StevensDucks.com.

Facebook: "Like" Stevens Athletics         
Twitter: @stevensducks
Instagram: @stevensducks
#AllRise