MARION, Iowa — Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's golf coach Matt Johnson knew there was room for improvement following the opening round of the Mount Mercy Cropper Classic.
 
Oh, how right he was.
 
Every member of the Cardinals' top five equaled or improved on his round, as the Cardinals shaved 22 strokes off their opening-round score — shooting a season-low 318 to finish 20th overall.
 
Illinois Wesleyan won the 22-team tournament with a nine-under-par score of 567, three shots better than both Grand View and host Mount Mercy.
 
Blake Westerberg (Red Wing, Minn.) equaled his career-best round, shooting a second-day three-over 75. The Cardinal junior, who shot an opening-round 83, finished with a 158 total. Hudson Stensgard (Rushford, Minn.) knocked five shots off his first-round 85, shooting 80 for a 165 total, one shot better than Brett Jackson (Edmonton, Alberta / 85-81—166). Hunter Rau (Plainview, Minn. / 87-82—169) and Connor Brandt (Woodbury, Minn. / 88-88—176) rounded out the Cardinals' lineup.
 
Saint Mary's is right back in action next weekend, taking part in the Saint John's Invitational. Saturday's opening round will be plated at Blackberry Ridge in Sartell, Minn., with Sunday's final round held at Greystone in Sauk Centre, Minn.