PULLMAN, Wash.- Freshman Adam Veenstra carded a three-under 68 in the second round to highlight Idaho men's golf's first day of competition at the Itani Quality Homes Collegiate Monday, at Palouse Ridge Golf Club in Pullman, Wash. Veenstra helped the Vandals turn in a 1-over 285 in the second round, their lowest single-round score in more than a year. Idaho sits in ninth with one round to play at 11-over.

"The guys came out with a great attitude," said head coach David Nuhn. "The first round we played a little sloppy at 10-over par. We had a lot of missed putts and were battling a wind we weren't used to that presented some challenges with some tee shots. This afternoon I thought we played a lot better."

Veenstra, a native of Smithers, British Columbia, battled through his first collegiate round to shoot a 76 in the morning and did not count towards the team's 294. He more than made up for it in the afternoon with his 68, Idaho's best score of the day and one of 15 golfers in the field of 68 to go at least 3-under in the second round. 

Sophomore Ethan Atherstone matched Veenstra's two-round score of 144 to tie for 31st in the field through two rounds. Atherstone was Idaho's most consistent competitor Monday, carding back-to-back rounds of 72. Atherstone was runner-up at the 2016 Itani Quality Homes Collegiate in his debut. He shot a 2-under 211 last year, going 70-71-70 in the three rounds.

Freshman Cole Chrisman also made his collegiate debut Monday. Chrisman shot a 3-over 145 for the day, posting rounds of 72 and 73.

"It's really nice to see a couple young guys stepping up and contributing scores to the team," Nuhn said. "I'm excited what this team can turn into down the road, but we're still young and learning on the fly."

The third and final round will tee off at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

"Tomorrow I'm looking for some made putts and hopefully an under-par score for the team," Nuhn said. "We'll see who's going to step up and shoot a low one tomorrow. I think they're all capable and upbeat."