ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Mules Golf fired a two-round team score of 7-under par 553 to race out to an eight-stroke lead after the opening day of action at the MoWest Holiday Inn Express Classic on Monday, Sept. 28, at St. Joseph Country Club.

The Mules tallied round scores of 276 (4-under par) and 277 (3-under par) for their 553 and sit eight strokes ahead of second-place Iowa Western Community College, which is at 1-over par 561 (282, 279). No. 10 Central Oklahoma rounds out the top three, ranking third at 4-over par 564 (287, 277).

Will Boyd paces UCM on the leaderboard after 36 holes and is tied for second at 4-under par 136 (69, 67). Boyd recorded nine birdies on the day.

Henry Manning (69, 70) and Lawson Barks (69, 70) are tied for seventh at 1-under par 139, Kale Flinton is tied for 10th at even-par 140 (69, 71), and Archer Schnieders is tied for 22nd at 2-over par 142 (72, 70), wrapping up the Central Missouri scoring.

Brad Storrer, who is competing as an individual, is tied for 18th at 1-over par 141 (68, 73).

Central Oklahoma's Nicholas Canales sits at the top of the individual leaderboard through two rounds at 6-under par 134 (69, 65).

The third and final round of play is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 29, in St. Joseph.