BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Chico State men's golf team delivered a record-setting performance Monday at the Division II National Championship Preview, firing a program-best 18-under par 270 in the opening round and following it up with a 277 (-11) in the afternoon at Boulder Creek Golf Club. The Wildcats sit in first place at 29-under par through 36 holes, holding an 11-shot lead heading into Tuesday's final round.

Senior Ben Mouser leads the 94-player field after rounds of 67–67 (-10), giving the Wildcats a strong individual presence atop the leaderboard. Mouser played the par 5s at 7-under for the day. Reflecting on his round, he said he "took advantage of the par 5s," crediting that as the key to being at at the top of the leaderboard. He also noted that it was "one of [his] best driving days," keeping the ball in play and giving himself great looks with short irons into greens. Mouser holds a one-shot lead going into the final round. 

Senior Naoki Easterday also turned in two impressive rounds, carding a 67 (-5) in the morning that included a front-nine 32, followed by a 69 (-3) to sit tied for third.

Senior Giuseppe Aliotti opened with a bogey-free 66 (-6), going 33–33, before adding an even-par 72 in the afternoon to finish the day tied for eighth. Freshman Vineet Vallamsetty continued his consistent play with rounds of 70–71 (-3) to sit tied for 17th, while sophomore Ethan Allred bounced back from a 73 (+1) with a 70 (-2) in round two to move into a tie for 37th.

Junior Cooper Hambrick, competing as an individual, improved by 10 strokes in the second round, following an opening 80 (+8) with a 70 (-2) to sit tied for 72nd.

The Wildcats return to Boulder Creek Golf Club on Tuesday for the final 18 holes of the DII National Championship Preview, looking to close out their record-setting performance and capture the tournament title.