SUWANEE, Ga. – The Alabama State University men's golf team competed in its second straight competition in Georgia, this time against fellow Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the Thomas W. Dortch Jr. HBCU Collegiate Golf Classic at Bear's Best Atlanta in Suwanee on Monday.

Senior Wesley Bairros led the way for the Hornets, carding a 2-under-70 to finish tied for third as the Hornets had a +13 team score to finish fifth of the six competing teams. The second round of competition, scheduled for Tuesday, was cancelled due to inclement weather in the north Atlanta area.

The Hornets, who finished ninth in a packed field at the Augusta University Fall Jaguar Invitational at the beginning of the month, were poised to contend in a field with more even competition. That's exactly what happened, as all 30 competing golfers were within 17 strokes of the lead after the opening round.

Bairros and fellow upperclassman Alberto Banos had strong outings, as the latter had a 2-over-par 74 to tie for 10th on the day. Bairros' mark featured three birdies on the front nine while adding another on the par-4 17th, putting himself within one stroke of the leaders. Banos had an even front half, and, despite a wobbly next four holes, rallied back with two birdies and a pair of pars to finish at 2-over.

Freshman Charongrat "Pon" Jitnavasathien finished third on the team with a 6-over-78, carding a pair of birdies and 10 pars divided evenly on the front and back half. Brady Toupin and Chotithuch "Putter" Wangpaibulkit each had double-digit pars and a birdie as well, but trailed Jitnavasathien by a stroke at +7 to round out the team's second outing of the season.

Southern (+1) finished as the top team on the day, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff following two strokes behind in second and Chicago State recording a 9-over-297 to round out the top three. Individual medalists Jamal Hutchison (NC Central) and Quincy Leonard (Southern) topped the leaderboard with identical 3-under-par 69 rounds.

The Hornets head north for its next outing, the Motor City Matchup, a two-day event hosted by Central Michigan University at the Birmingham (Mich.) Country Club on Monday, Oct. 12, and Tuesday, Oct. 13.