HELENA -- Montana Tech's men's golf team enjoyed a banner day Monday at Day 1 of the Carroll College Classic, playing into both the team and individual lead in record-setting fashion. 

The Orediggers head into Tuesday's third-and-final round at Bill Roberts Golf Course with a two-stroke lead over Bellevue. Junior Tyler Avery sits three shots clear of the field at 9-under par through the first 36 holes. 

Montana Tech's team score in Round 1 of 11-under-par 277 tied the program's record for low team round and set that mark for a team round relative to par. The raw scored matched Tech's mark from September 28, 2008 at the Rocky Mountain Invitational. The Orediggers came a stroke shy of matching it in the afternoon's 18 holes, coming in at 10-under 278. 

Avery began his day with a 4-under 68 around the 6,641-yard course at Bill Roberts, logging five birdies on the back nine after shooting even on the front. In his second round, Avery was 1-over through eight holes before an eagle on the par-5 ninth kicked him off. The Kalispell native finished his round with four birdies in the final five holes to charge into the lead. 

Freshmen Chase Choquette (68-71) and Hudson Goroski (69-70) finished tied for fourth two-thirds of the way through the tournament, and senior Joe McGreevey was also under par, shooting an even 72 and following it with a 2-under 70. 

Montana Tech's men will look to finish strong Tuesday at Bill Roberts. The tournament is set to resume with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

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