The Missouri women's team scorched the second round during the first day of the CDGNC. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA

The record-setting field at the College Disc Golf National Championship was evident from the start on Wednesday.

Over 500 competitors gathered and were introduced during an energy-filled opening ceremony, complete with a message from veteran Paul Ulibarri, and then the action at the three-course complex at North Cove Disc Golf Club in Marion, North Carolina got started in a big way.

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The action was fast and furious, starting with an electric second round from the Missouri women’s team of Alexis Kerman and Renae Beasley, who scorched their second round through the River Run track to the tune of an 8-under round for a seven-stroke lead.

Brigham Young's women's team is in second in the Women's Team division. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA

Brigham Young, represented by Devri Tanner and Hannah Hunter, finished in second in the women’s team standings at 4-under, one stroke ahead of Missouri A&T’s Emily Craig and Megan Kerr.

Ferris State tied for the hot round in the Men's Division I team division on Wednesday. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA

Throughout the early goings of the Men’s Division I team round, the scores were trending towards several hot rounds as the foursomes competed in a modified alternate shot format.

But the finish at the Gorge Course, the newest and toughest at North Cove, proved to be a beast. Hole 17 at the Gorge, a 661-foot, Par 4 that narrows to a tight green and Hole 18, an OB-laden 818-foot Par 4 that features an island green, finished as two of the toughest holes on the track.

CDGNC stalwarts Ferris State along with Northern Arizona escaped the finish at the Gorge with 10-under rounds for a one-stroke lead over Georgia, Illinois and Illinois State.

Northern Arizona shot 10-under on the Gorge Course at the North Cove Disc Golf Club on Wednesday. Photo: Conrad Meyer / PDGA

Eight teams, including No. 2 Texas, are one-stroke back in the team standings.

Ferris State got an added boost heading into the final two holes with an ace from Caleb Mergener on Hole 16, a unique 301-foot Par 3 that features the basket on a bridge over the flowing creek through the property.

Action shifts to singles on Thursday for the Division I men as well as the women’s field, which will conclude with the finals back on River Run in the afternoon. The top 12 women will advance to the finals while the top 28 scores from the Men’s Division I field will head to the finals, which are set for Friday afternoon.

In other action on Thursday:

• North Carolina State’s Brandon Bauguess heads to the Division II singles finals with an 8-under score. Auburn’s Tyler Gainer and Grand Canyon’s Harley Kendall followed with a 6-under round. Triston Harrison, representing Northern Colorado, rounds out the lead card as one of three players at 5-under.
• Kendall was also part of Grand Canyon’s Division II team, which leads the flight with a 2-under score line. Appalachian State is in second at 1-under. North Carolina-Charlotte and North Carolina State are even par after one round on the Gorge Course.
• In the Men’s Division III race, it’s all Liberty. The Liberty C team leads the Liberty D team by one stroke at 18 and 17-under, respectively. North Carolina State and Texas A&M are tied at 16-under.

Team & Individual Results

• 2022 College Disc Golf National Championship - DI - Singles
• 2022 College Disc Golf National Championship - DI - Team
• 2022 College Disc Golf National Championship - DII - Singles
• 2022 College Disc Golf National Championship - DII - Team
• 2022 College Disc Golf National Championship - DIII - Singles
• 2022 College Disc Golf National Championship - DIII - Team
• 2022 College Disc Golf National Championship - Women's Singles
• 2022 College Disc Golf National Championship - Women's Team