HOT SPRINGS, Ark.  -  Henderson State is in first place after the first day of competition at the 2024 Battle for the Belt in Hot Springs.

The Reddies shot 13-under 563 across two rounds on their home course at Hot Springs Country Club. Henderson's "B" squad currently sits in seventh place with a score of 10-over 586.

GAC rival Arkansas Tech holds second place with a score of nine-under 567. St. Mary's, who joined the tournament due to circumstances surrounding Hurricane Helene, is in third with a score of six-under 570. The Wonder Boys' Tobey Kim and the Rattlers Baptiste Touchard share first place in the individual standings with twin scores of seven-under 137.

Philipp Pakosch posted HSU's best score of the day at six-under 138. He and Southeastern Oklahoma State's Jesse Rouse are currently tied for third place. Maxime Lam (three-under 141) and Colin Purifoy (one-under 143) both find themselves in ties for top 10 spots. Ethan Wilkins and Jacob Knowlton hit for par to claim shares of 15th place after day one.

The third and final round of the Battle for the Belt will take place tomorrow, October 1, at Hot Springs Country Club. Golfers from all teams are scheduled to tee off at 9:00 a.m.