WHEELING, W.V. – Senior co-captain and Capital One Academic All-America Matt Michel (Danvers, Mass./Danvers HS) was the top golfer for the Bentley University Falcons during the first day of the 2013 NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Regional Monday at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center Jones Court.

Michel parred five of the final six holes to finish with an eight-over 79, putting him in a tie for 38th in a field of 108. His only birdie of the round came on the par-four 520-yard sixth hole.

Bentley finished the first of three rounds tied for 19th place after struggling to a 328, the team's second highest of the season.

Following Michel, Bentley's next best scores were an 82 from sophomore Jon Stoddard (Duxbury, Mass./Duxbury HS) and am 83 from junior Harry Kirkpatrick (Lancaster, Mass./Nashoba Reg. HS). Stoddard is tied for 72nd and Kirkpatrick four places behind him.

Wilmington College (Del.) sits at the top of the team standings, with the Wildcats' 298 good for a ten-stroke lead over number two Indiana University (Pa.). Individually, the co-leaders are Wilmington's Andrew Baldo and Charleston's Jamin Smith, both with a one-over 72.

The regional tournament continues Tuesday with the Falcons due to tee off between 7:30 am and 8:20 am. 

NCAA DIV. II ATLANTIC/EAST REGIONAL
At Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, Jones Course
Day 1 of 3

Team Standings: 1. Wilmington (Del.) 298, 2. Indiana (Pa.) 308, 2. Charleston (W.V.) 308, 4. Millersville 309, 5. California (Pa.) 310, 5. St. Thomas Aquinas 310, 7. UMass-Lowell 311, 7. Davis and Elkins 311, 9. West Chester 312, 10. American International 316, 11. Gannon 319, 12. Concordia (N.Y.) 320, 13. Adelphi 321, 13. Concord 321, 15. Bluefield State 322, 15. Post 322, 17. Virginia State 325, 18. Nyack 326, 19. Bentley 328, 20. Dowling 328.

Top Individuals: 1. Andrew Baldo, Wilmington, 72; 1. Jamin Smith, Charleston, 72; 3. Robert Coyne, Millersville, 73; 4. Sebastian Bendsen, Davis and Elkins, 74; 4. Shane Chaplin, Charleston, 74.

Bentley Scores: t-38. Matt Michel 79; t-72. Jon Stoddard 82; t-76. Harry Kirkpatrick 83; t-85. Malcolm Oliver 84; t-96. Dan McQueen 85.