PENFIELD, NY – The York College men's golf team had a strong showing during day one of the 2025 NCAA Division III Championship tournament held at Midvale Country Club in Penfield, New York on Tuesday.
 
The Spartans sit all alone in 22^nd place in the 43-team tournament. The Spartans shot a team-total of 306 as they are just four strokes above the current cut line of 302. The top 18 teams after the second round make the cut and advance to the final two days of the championship.
 
Illinois Wesleyan, who came into the tournament ranked fifth in the country, leads the team scoring at 290, four strokes in front of John Carroll and Carlton as they are tied at 294. Aurora is fourth at 295 while Trinity (Texas) rounds out the top five at 297.
 
The Spartans started their day on the tenth hole of Midvale Golf Club. Senior Jason Velez led the Green and White in round one as he fired a one-over-par 73 as he is 17^th after day one of the tournament. Velez shot 38 on the front with three bogeys, a birdie on the par four 12^th hole, and five pars. He made the turn and immediately posted a pair of birdie threes on the par four first and second holes as he was even heading into three. After a pair of pars, Velez got nicked with a pair of bogeys on five and six but he bounced back to birdie seven before finishing up with a pair of pars for a one-under 35 on his second nine.
 
Senior Matthew Salter was York's second place finisher after day one. He fired a three-over-par 75 as he is 53^rd in the 225-player field. Salter started the round with a bogey but got the stroke right back with a birdie on 11. Salter had a double on the par three 13^th hole but finished off the opening nine with a bogey and a birdie as he shot 38. He opened the second nine with three straight pars before a bogey on four. He would par five before recording a five on the par four sixth hole. Salter finished strong with two pars and a birdie as he shot 37 on the second nine for his 75.
 
Sophomore Thomas O'Connell was York's third finisher as he shot 77 to tie for 100^th. O'Connell fired a very even 38 on his first nine with seven pars and two bogeys. O'Connell's second nine was far more dramatic as he had two pars, two birdies and five bogeys for a 39.
 
Junior Jacob Fripp was York's fourth scorer on Tuesday as he shot an 81. He opened his round with two bogeys and five pars over his first seven holes. He had a double on 17 followed by a par as he registered a 40 on his opening nine. Fripp made the turn and registered a par on hole number one. He bogeyed three of the next four holes while he had a birdie on the par five third hole. Fripp had a triple on six followed by a bogey and a birdie before ending his round with a par.
 
Senior Gavin Ganter was York's fifth player on Tuesday. He shot 82 as he 179^th in the field. Ganter had a tough start with a par followed by a quad on the 11^th hole. He recovered to shoot 43 on the front and then played very well on his second nine. Ganter shot 39 on the second nine to put himself in prime position to get it going on Wednesday's second round.
 
The Spartans return to the course on Wednesday morning as the Spartans begin play at 8:05 am. Ganter and Fripp begin on the fourth while while Velez and Salter kick off their rounds on the fifth hole. O'Connell starts on the sixth hole for the Green and White.