PALM COAST, Fla. – Tyrone Van Aswegen shot a 3-under-par 69 to help Oklahoma City University take the first-round lead Tuesday in the NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship at Matanzas Woods Golf Club.

Oklahoma City, the defending champion, posted a 7-over-par 295 for a six-stroke margin over Berry College of Mount Berry, Ga.

NAIA Region X champion Husson College of Bangor is tied for 19th out of 27 teams at 326. Team scores are determined by taking the top four scores from each five-man team each day.

Senior Joe Alvarez of Veazie led Husson with a 75, tied for 13th. Sophomore Joe Finemore of Augusta shot an 82, followed by sophomore Shane Ross of Pittsfield at 83, senior Bill Hutchins of Bangor at 86, and senior Corey Pion of Vassalboro at 88.

Oklahoma Christian, last year’s runner-up, and Johnson & Wales of North Miami, Fla., are tied for third at 303, and Northwood of West Palm Beach, Fla., is fifth at 304.

Play continues through Friday.

Husson last competed in the national championship in 2000, finishing 27th. Pion is the only current member who was on the team that year, and he competed as an individual last year.