PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Carson Hupka fired a collegiate-low round of 2-under-par 70 to lead Montana Tech's men's golf team to second place in the team standings after Round 1 of the Frontier Conference/California Pacific Conference Men's Golf NAIA Qualifier Monday. 

The freshman from Polson cupped six birdies, tied for the most in the field, including three in a four-hole stretch between Nos. 9-12. 

"Carson was really impressive today," Montana Tech head coach Sean Ryan said. "He just played steady and put himself in good positions to score and be in the hunt." 

The Oredigger men are 18 strokes off first-place Rocky Mountain and hold a narrow one-stroke lead ahead of third-place Simpson after a trip around the 6,882-yard, par-72 course at Papago Golf Club. 

All five of Tech's players scored in the top 15. Senior Gabe Witham carded a 2-over 74 and sits ninth, and sophomore Tyler Avery is in 10th after his 3-over 75. Sophomore Joe McGreevey and junior Joe Opitz are tied for 13th. Each shot 77. 

"I thought the men played pretty solid today," Ryan said. "I was encouraged by their consistency and ability to battle back from bad luck and nerves early in the round. We had to remind ourselves that it's just another round of golf and that it's supposed to be fun. Then we settled in and played really well to close out the day." 

Rocky's Jared Smith and Kristjan Burkelca lead the field at 4-under. 

In order to receive an automatic berth to the NAIA national championship, the Frontier and Cal Pac conferences cooperated to meet the minimum number of six participating teams. 

First round results, second-round pairings, and live results for the duration of the tournament are available through Golf Genius. The qualifier will proceed with its second round Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. PDT, 8:30 Mountain in a shotgun start. 

Visit Montana Tech athletics' home online, GoDiggers.com, anytime for up-to-the-minute news and coverage of the Orediggers. Give Montana Tech athletics a like on Facebook, and follow the Orediggers on X and Instagram at @DiggerAthletics.