CHANDLER, Ariz. – Coach David Nuhn is seeing some strong late-season improvement in his University of Idaho players with three of them at or near par during the first rounds of the Wyoming Cowboy Classic.
 
"We had three players play really solid today," Nuhn said.
 
Ryan Porch is the leader of the group with a one-under 143 that puts him in a tie for 14^th with one round to play.
 
"Ryan was as solid as ever," Nuhn said. "I know that second round he let a couple shots get away but overall, to be sitting at one–under with one round to play, I know he's feeling good and moving forward in a positive way."
 
He had special praise for Hayden Ritter, who opened with a four-over 76 but fired an even-par 72 in his second round.
 
"I was really proud of Hayden's play," Nuhn said. "He's starting to play a lot better. He made a lot of birdies. He made a couple of mistakes but for him to come back and make a lot of birdies late in his second round was really nice to see."
 
Enrique Marin matched Ritter's opening score of four-over 148 and is in a tie for 49^th with him. Nuhn said finding his way on the greens is what will make the biggest difference in Tuesday's final round.
 
"Enrique hung tough today but he didn't really make any putts," Nuhn said. "That's going to happen."
 
Rounding out the scoring for the Vandals, who combined for a 602 (299-303), were Ethan Atherstone at 165 and Brock Anderson at 173.
 
Long Beach State leads the tournament with a nine-under 567.