FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Tarleton State had three of their five-man lineup place in the top-25 of the first final leaderboard of 2023-24.
 
Newcomer junior Carson Gallaher went 67-68 over his final two rounds to finish even-par at the Ram Masters Invitational in Fort Collins, Colorado to pace the Texans. He shot 75-67-68 overall Wednesday-Thursday at Fort Collins Country Club, taking tied-ninth in his first tournament for the Purple and White.
 
Tarleton sophomores Max Bengtsson and Cristobal Sepulveda weren't far behind, with Bengtsson finishing tied-18 at +3 (72-71-70) and Sepulveda tied-25th at +6 (70-74-72). Senior Bladen Samaniego shot +18 (75-74-79) for tied-61st, and junior Alvaro Huidobro turned in at +25 (76-78-81) for tied-69th.
 
The Texans took eighth as a team at +27 (867).
 
"It wasn't the week we were looking for, but there were a lot of positives to build off of at the same time," head coach Chance Cain said. "Round one is what really hurt us, but we played better each round after. Also having three players in the top-25 is a good sign for things moving forward.
 
"It was awesome to see Carson grind it out in the first round and then come into form the remaining 36 holes to earn a top-10 off the bat," Cain added. "Max and Cris were steady all week as well, and I can already tell their experience from last season is paying dividends."
 
Gallaher had the tied-second most birdies among the 75-man field at 14, just two behind the leader. Sepulveda led the entire field in pars at 40 across 54 holes, along with posting the tied-sixth fewest bogeys.
 
Sepulveda led the Purple and White through the first round at even-par (70), taking 14 pars in the opening 18 holes. Gallaher ended the day with a -3 (67) in Round 2, sinking five birdies compared to just two bogeys. He then finished it off with a -2 (68) on Thursday to place in the top-10.
 
Long Beach State won the tournament at -15 (825), with Colorado State's Connor Jones taking medalist honors at -13 (64-65-68).
 
The Texans will next compete at the Graeme McDowell Invitational for the second straight year on Sept. 24-26. The tournament, hosted by UAB, will be held at Limestone Springs Golf Course in Oneonta, Alabama.