Staff report

NEW KENT, Va. — Livingstone grabbed the first round lead at the CIAA Golf Championship at The Club at Viniterra here Thursday.

Livingstone carded a 317, four shots better than second-place Virginia Union (321). Elizabeth City State follows at 331, while Fayetteville State (334), Saint Augustine’s (336), Johnson C. Smith (340), Chowan (341) and Virginia State (375) round out the field.

The Blue Bears’ Philip Harrison, who fired a first-round 76, is just two strokes back of individual leader Isaiah Shaw of Fayetteville State, who shot a 2-over par 74.

Shaw, who started off on the course’s back 9 holes, made the turn at even-par 36. Shaw and the other golfers faced the challenge of increasing wind speeds as the day wore on.

Livingstone’s Alex Stewart is in sixth place after shooting a 78. Also playing well for the Blue Bears were DeAngelo Stowe (81), Michael Sutton (82) and Lenorris Williams (83).

“Our guys played okay in spurts,” said Livingstone head coach Andre Springs. “We know what to do tomorrow (Friday), and we will continue to prepare for battle.”

The championship tournament concludes today with players teeing off at 9 a.m.

TEAM SCORES

Livingstone                 317

Virginia Union           321

Elizabeth City St.       331

Fayetteville St.           334

St. Augustine’s           336

Johnson C. Smith     340

Chowan                       341

Virginia State             375

INDIVIDUAL SCORES (Top 15)

Isaiah Shaw, Fay. State             74

Tyler Futrell, Eliz. City St   .     75

Paul Meints, Va. Union             76

Sam Cudjoe St. Aug’s                 76

Phillip Harrison, Livingstone   76

Alex Stewart, Livingstone         78

Robel Woldagabriel, Va. U       78

DeJuan Powell, J.C. Smith       79

Christian Fleetwood, CU           79

Allan Day, Va. Union                 81

DeAngelo Stowe, Livings.         81

J.T. Moore, St. Aug’s                 82

Michael Sutton, Livings.          82

Lenorris Williams, Livings.     83

Donald Thaxton, Chowan        83