LAS VEGAS, Nev. --- The South Dakota School of Mines men's and women's golf teams teed off on the 2019 spring season Tuesday during the Winona State Warrior Invitational at Stallion Mountain Golf Course in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The women's team is sitting in sixth place after the first round with a team score of 356. Rocky Mountain College is leading after Day 1 with a team score of 300, MSU-Billings is second with 306 strokes and Missouri Western State is third tallying a 313.

Missouri Western's Shi Qing Ong leads the women's tournament with an 18-hole score of 71, while Eryn Ellis of Rocky Mountain College, Shealyn Hafer of MSU-Billings and Anna Demars of Rocky Mountain College are all tied for second place, each carding scores of 73.

Hardroocker Emily Schimbeno is sitting in 10th place after the first round with a low score of 78. Teammate Nicole Schrader posted a score of 90 to take a share of 32nd place and McKinley Harm was two spots back in 34th place with a 91.

As for the rest of the 'Rockers, Alexandra Rauert put up a 100 for 43rd place, and Mya Ostrom came in with a 102 to finish 44th after the first round.

"It was so excited to have Emily Schimbeno back in the fold for Hardrocker women's golf,"  said Hardrocker women's golf head coach Tye Roy. "Coming off a major injury and no golf of any kind for almost a year and a half, Emily led the Hardrocker women today with a first round 78, putting her in the Top 10 for Day 1. She was near the top of the field in several categories for the day, and if not for two bad holes she easily could have been in the Top 5."

Coach Roy added, "I am excited to see how she finishes up her first event back with the team.  Nicole Schrader had a decent day for the first round of the year, but also struggled on a few key holes throughout the day.

"We have not been out on green grass this spring, so our short games were a little rusty, which can really have an impact on the round. I am sure our talented ladies will battle back tomorrow and post some better scores for the second round.  Overall pleased with the place our team is in thus far and hope for a strong finish."

On the men's side, the Hardrockers carded a first-round score of 322 and currently rank in 12th place after the first round. The University of Indianapolis leads the tournament after Day 1 with 284 strokes, Rocky Mountain College sits in second with 287 and the University of  La Verne is third with 293.

Individually, Ian Carroll leads the tournament after Day 1 with a 68, while Michael Tait of Rocky Mountain College and Mathew Bean of Minot State are tied for second each carding scores of 69.

Lane Jensen came in with the lowest score for the Hardrockers with an 18-hole score of 77 for a share of 38th place. SD Mines Steven Bendt posted an 80 to tie for 54th place and Jake Francis took a share of 58th place with 81 strokes.

As for the rest of the 'Rockers, Roger Nakagawa tied for 65th with a score of 83, Bryce Howard carded an 84 for a share of 68th place, Jamison Smith tied for 71st place with an 85, and Carson McDaniel rounded out the first round with a 91 for 76th place.

"We were led today by one of our outstanding young freshman, Lane Jensen, who ended up shooting 77 for the day.  He struggled a bit throughout the day, but was able to grind out a decent round," Roy said. " Next was our senior team captain Steven Bendt at 80."

Coach Roy added, "Overall we left a lot of shots out on the course today.  We have been hitting off mats for several months now and have not had an opportunity to be outside at all.  It showed today as we tried to shake some of the winter rust off.  I am not worried about our young team, as they are all very talented and will bounce back from this first round.  Short game was a major factor and just trying to find their feel again hitting off real turf for the first time this year.

"There is a potential for some very high winds tomorrow in the forecast, so it could provide another challenge for all the golfers in the field. We are just really excited to finally have our golfers outside and playing golf for the spring season."