No. 2 MGCCC in second after 1st round

No. 2 Mississippi Gulf Coast battled a tough field and gusty conditions to finish the first-round of the fifth MACJC event in second place, six back of host Meridian.

The Bulldogs didn't putt well Monday, but Colin Troxler (So., Hahnville/Luling, La.) leads the field with a 1-over 72.

"The greens were perfect and the golf course was in great shape," Gulf Coast coach Tommy Snell said. "Anytime you have fast greens and it's that windy – right around the middle the round it was gusting probably 30 mph – that affects the putting."

The seven-team field will start at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday to try to beat expected showers.

Troxler has a one-shot lead over East Central's Bailey Threlkeld and Meridian's Isaiah Jackson.

MGCCC's Jackson Wedgeworth (Fr., West Jones/Soso) is four shots off the lead, tied for ninth. Jonathon Newman (So., North Pike/Summit) is another shot back and tied for 13^th. Colby Entriken (Fr., Hancock/Pass Christian), playing as an individual, shot 78 and is tied for 17^th.

The Bulldogs won the first two MACJC tournaments in the fall and are looking to get back on track in the first one of the spring.

"A lot of it is putting four rounds together as a team," Snell said. "Colin's leading the tournament, and we're in second by six shots. It's got to be everybody, and we just didn't click on all cylinders today. We have the depth and have the ability. We just have to put that together. We're just kind of in a mini-slump right now."

* -- Indicates playing as individual

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