By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Battle Creek, MI---Phillipe Weppernig shot a 2-under 70 on day one of the Olivet College Lou Collins Memorial Tournament to give the Express a two-shot lead.

The Express shot a 298 as a team to edge out Bethel College's 300. Blaze Hogan shot an even par 72, while Brandon Hoelzer (78), Kirby Manown (78) and Harrison Long (79) rounded out the starting five for the Express.

Weppernig shot a 33 on the front nine, and he is currently tied for first overall with Wheaton College's Tommy Cardle. Hogan's 72 puts him in fourth place individually.

Aside from the Express and Bethel College, Kalamazoo College (302), Indiana Wesleyan University (304) and Spring Arbor University (304) round out hte top five.

Notes

The tournament continues on Saturday. Tee times have not been announced. We will keep you posted tomorrow as we find out the results.

Of the five Express golfers in the starting rotation, two are international student-athletes. Weppernig is from Luzern, Switzerland and Long with from Tanoth, UK. Hoelzer and Hogan are the lone sophomores in the group.

This weekend's tournaments marks the beginning of the fall season for the Express, who finished 10th in the nation last year.