The winner’s podium bled purple and white this past weekend as four Abilene Christian golf players finished among the top 10 at the 2013 James S. Litz Memorial Tuesday.

The tournament consisted of Lone Star Conference foes, Tournament host Incarnate Word and Midwestern State.

The first day of play ended with senior all-America Alex Carpenter and junior Trey Sullivan tied for first place at 2-over 146.

The two struggled the final day when each of them shot eight-over 80 to drop to a sixth place tie.

The veteran, Carpenter and Sullivan helped the Wildcats finish the first day of tournament play with a two-round total of 591, which held a comfortable 11-shot lead over second-place St. Mary’s and 14 strokes over the Mustangs of MSU, who finished third.

“I definitely was not happy with the way I played this week,” Carpenter said. “I’m excited for the rest of the year and I am still in shock that its my last semester of college golf, but I’m excited for what God has in store for me after college as I pursue my career in professional golf.”

Sophomore and defending Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year, Corbin Renner, finished fourth overall, tied with Midwestern State’s Santiago Gomez.

Renner has made a name for himself over the past two tournaments last fall when he finished first at the 2012 Bruce Williams Invitational in San Antonio. Renner shot a 12-under 204.

Carpenter attempted to win his 17th career tournament title, but fell five shots behind first place Austin Jordan of tournament host Incarnate Word.

The team doesn’t suffer any from having young inexperienced players; which means many of them have been in high-pressure situations in which they’ve reacted well.

“I definitely feel like this team can make it to, and win the national championship this year in Pennsylvania,” Carpenter said.

The team looks forward to play in Austin for the St. Edwards Invitational on March 4th.