SARTELL, Minn. — Brett Jackson (Edmonton, Alberta) has been the model of consistency for the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's golf team this season.
 
Heading into Saturday's opening round of the 36-hole Saint John's Invitational, the Cardinal sophomore had carded four straight rounds of 75 or better.
 
Make that five straight.
 
Jackson fired an opening-round, three-over-par 75 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in helping the Cardinals to a 17th-place team finish with a 324 team total.
 
Jackson wasn't the only Cardinal putting together a solid opening-round performance, as Blake Westerberg (Red Wing, Minn.) chipped in a 75 of his own. Kyle Brodt (Roseville, Minn.) added an 85, while David Iten (Fridley, Minn.) finished with an 89 and Hunter Rau (Plainview, Minn.) pitched in a 95.
 
Host Saint John's and St. Thomas share the team lead after Day 1 with 297 totals, while Bethel is sitting in third, four shots back. Saint John's II (306) and Gustavus (308) rounded out the top five.
 
Saint John's Ryan Gallagher fired the day's low round with a one-under 71 and holds a one-shot lead over Matt Radke of St. Thomas, Sam Olson of Saint John's, and Augsburg's Brett Gaustad.
 
The Cardinals will look to climb up the leaderboard on Sunday, when the two-day tournament concludes with 18 holes at Greystone Golf Course in Sauk Centre, Minn.