PADUCAH, Ky. – Senior Jake Skarperud is tied for fifth to lead the North Dakota State men's golf team after the first 36-holes of the inaugural Racer Intercollegiate at the Country Club of Paducah on Monday afternoon.
 
Skarperud (71-69—140) fired back-to-back rounds below par to open the tournament. Skaprued carded four birdies and was even through 11 holes to finish -1 in the first round. The Fargo, N.D., native logged another five birdies in the second round to match his season-low of -3 to land in a tie for fifth at -4 overall.
 
Rylin Petry (73-71—144) sits four shots back at an even-par through the first two rounds. Petry carded two birdies and 13 holes at par in the opening round to finish +1. In the second round, the senior fired the lone Bison eagle of the day on the 15^th hole and added two more birdies to finish -1. Petry is slotted in a tie for 20^th heading into the final round.
 
Carter White (72-74—146), Andrew Ballou (71-75—146), and Joey Mackinac (73-73—146) are all locked in a tie for 34^th at +2 after the first day. White carded a round of even-par after sinking three birdies to open the tournament, then added another birdie in round two to finish +2. Ballou picked up his seventh round below par to start the event after firing three birdies to end -1 and finished +3 after the second round. Mackinac, who is playing as an individual, recorded matching rounds of +1 with a team high five birdies in the first round and another three in the second round.
 
Gabe Benson (73-75—178) is the final NDSU golfer for the tournament. Benson carded a round of +1 with two birdies to open the tournament. The senior added two more birdies in the second round to end +3 to finish +4 in a tie for 47^th.
 
Together, the Bison (287-289—576) are slotted in fourth place after the first 36-holes. NDSU opened the tournament with a round of -1 and recorded a round of +1 in the middle round to sit at an even-par heading into the final round.
 
The Bison will wrap up the Racer Intercollegiate on Tuesday.