On Friday, the Aggies went out and posted a team score of 277. That puts them in first place at the 10-team tournament being held at the par-72, 7,802-yard Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. Ohio State is one stroke back in second place with a 278.

Stetson is third at 281, while George Mason is fourth at 286 and West Virginia is fifth at 287. Other teams competing include Oregon State, Rhode Island, Richmond, Texas State and Utah Valley.

Sophomore Enrique Karg shot a career-low 7-under-par 65 during his opening round. He has a 1-shot lead on the field going into Saturday’s second round. Karg’s 7-under 65 is the lowest individual postseason round in school history.

Karg had seven birdies for his round, carding a 5-under-par 31 on the front nine and a 2-under-par 34 on the back nine. It was his third round in the 60s this season and the sixth of his career as he now has 11 career rounds under par, including six this season. It is the second time in his career that Karg has carded a 65.

Senior Julio Arronte is tied for third in the tournament after firing a 5-under-par 67 on Friday. During his round, Arronte posted five birdies, one eagle and two bogeys. He has now shot in the 60s six times this year and 13 times in his career and has 15 rounds under par this season and 30 in his career.

Freshman Toby Heider is tied for 21st after his even-par 72. Graduate John Cook is tied for 24th with a 1-over-par 73, and senior Esteban Jaramillo is tied for 29th at 74. Heider had four birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. Cook had third birdies and four bogeys. Jaramillo had two birdies, one bogey and a double bogey.

The second round will be Saturday with the final round being played Sunday.

“It’s a tremendous honor for our team to compete in the GOLFWEEK National Golf Invitational Championship,” USU head coach Dean Johansen said in a press release before the tournament began. “This is only the second postseason appearance in program history, and it’s a testament to the dedication and growth of our student-athletes. We’ve worked hard all year to put ourselves in this position, and I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. This weekend is an opportunity to showcase Utah State golf on a national stage and build momentum for the future.”

And the Aggies certainly got off to a good start in doing just that.

GYMNASTICS

The Aggies added an athlete on Friday with the signing of Anabelle Dewey, who has trained at MJ Elite Gymnastics in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, for two years. She has competed as a Level 10/Elite for six years as an all-rounder.

“We are incredibly excited to have Anabelle join our program a year early,” USU head coach Kristin White said in a press release. “She has incredible experience competing at the highest level and we are excited for her to bring that confidence to our team. We believe she will make an immediate impact on our program. Aggie Nation will enjoy her quality of gymnastics, specifically her power on vault and floor.”

Dewey will graduate this spring and is looking forward to moving west.

“I chose Utah State because it felt like home the moment I stepped on campus,” Dewey said in a press release. “The team culture, coaches, academics and support system all stood out to me, and I knew it was the perfect place for me to grow both as a gymnast and person. What I’m most excited about is being part of such a close-knit team and pushing myself to excel as an Aggie. I can’t wait to compete alongside my teammates and represent Utah State.”