GREAT FALLS, Mont. - Junior Kyler Gable of Hayden, Idaho fired consecutive 3-under-par rounds of 68 to help the Lewis-Clark State College men's golf team roll to the first day lead at the second Frontier Conference regular season tournament on Monday.
Gable's 36-hole total of 136 helped the Warriors to a 565 total on the par-71 Eagle Falls Golf Course and a 17-shot lead over Carroll heading into the final 18 holes on Tuesday.
The conference plays three 54-hole tournaments, including two in the fall and one in the spring, to determine its regular season champion. The score from each tournament is added together to determine the champion.
The Warrior men, who won the first tournament by 25 strokes, picked up 23 more on Rocky Mountain on Monday for a commanding 48-stroke lead. After Tuesday's round, the final tournament will be in the spring in Butte, Mont.
During Monday's play, it was the lower end of the Warrior lineup that came through. Gable, playing at the No. 5 spot, was solid throughout the day, according to Warrior coach Paul Thompson.
"He just played awesome," Thompson said. "He hit the ball extremely well."
No. 4 player Tyler Johnson matched par with rounds of 68 and 74, while Jason Molner, playing at No. 3, shot a 1-over-par 143.
"I'm real pleased with the depth we have on our men's team," Thompson said. "When we have our No. 5 guy leading the tourney and have three rounds in the 60s, that says something about our depth."
The Warriors shot a 1-under-par 283 team score during the opening 18 holes and then improved to 282. Carroll was at 582, while Rocky Mountain had a 588.
On the women's side, Rocky Mounta had rounds of 330-326 for a 656 and a 10-shot lead over Westminster. LCSC is currently fourth at 701 after rounds of 358 and 343.
Like the men, the Warrior women had the bottom of the lineup come through. Freshman Brooke Dagner, playing in the No. 4 spot, had a 90 to open and then a 78 for a team-leading 168 total. Idah Whisenant, playing in the No. 5 spot, is second for LCSC at 176.
After the five rounds, the Westminster women hold a four-shot lead over Rocky Mountain. LCSC is 80 shots behind.
MEN
Team scores - 1, LCSC 283-282-565. 2, Carroll 293-289-582. 3, Rocky Mountain 295-293-588. 4, Lethbridge 304-293-597. 5, Westminster 310-309-619. 6, Great Falls 312-321-633. 7, Montana Tech 315-321-636. 8, Montana Western 339-329-668.
Medalist - Kyler Gable, LCSC, 68-68-136.
LCSC scores - Tyler Johnson 68-74-142, Jason Molner 72-71-143, Connor McCracken 75-72-147, Drew Reinland 75-72-147. OF
Other LCSC scores - Dillon Williams 75-75-150, James Rooney 82-73-155, Kyler Nilsson 79-77-156.
WOMEN
Team scores - 1, Rocky Mountain 330-326-656. 2, Westminster 335-331-666. 3, Carroll 352-347-699. 4, LCSC 358-343-701. 5, Montana Tech 365-361-726. 6, Montana State-Northern 385-380-765. 7, Great Falls 440-412-852.
Medalist - Mikayla Williamson, West, 77-81-158.
LCSC - Brooke Dagner 90-78-168, Idah Whisenant 90-86-176, Alana Norris 88-91-179, Shanna Herman 94-88-182, Kelsey Haycock 90-93-183.
Other LCSC scores - Jennifer Sorenson 89-91-180, Jordan Knapp 99-86-185.
