FORSYTH, ILL.—Central College's Harold Dobernecker (sophomore, Nevada) and Lucas Wendel (sophomore, Le Claire, Pleasant Valley HS) both carded 1-over-par 73s and share third place after one round of the Millikin (Ill.) University Take Back the Night Challenge Friday.
           
The Dutch are fourth in the 12-team field with 308. Parkland College (Ill.), a defending junior college national champion, bolted to the lead with 294 with American Rivers foe Nebraska Wesleyan University second at 303 and Carthage College (Wis.) at 307. Loras College is part of a tie for fifth at 311.
           
"I felt like we put ourselves in good position," coach Mel Blasi said. "A 308 is a pretty decent score for today but we'll have to shoot better tomorrow."
           
Drew Rogers (freshman, Sullivan, Ill.) shot 77, Drake Hamilton (freshman, Westlake, Texas, Keller HS) and Cole McGriff (freshman, Grinnell) had 79 and John Oltman (sophomore, Pella) had 82. Wendel is playing as an at-large entrant and his round is not included in the team score. Other Central at-large entrants are Dustin Haines (junior, Sigourney) and Jake Moffett (freshman, Mount Pleasant), who each shot 79.
           
Blasi was encouraged by Dobernecker and Wendel's rounds. They're one shot out of the lead.
           
"It was good to see Lucas play well," he said. "He had a solid round all the way around. He had 15 pars, which tells you a lot. Harold was 2-under on his first eight holes and was solid all the way around, too."
           
Friday's round was at Hickory Point Golf Course and moves to Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur Saturday as winds are expected to gust to 45 miles per hour.
           
"It's more of a links-style course and there are not a lot of trees, so it will be windy," Blasi said.