Playing in steady rainfall and swirling winds with temperatures in the low 50s, Bogstrand fired a 1-under-par 71 at Creekside Golf Club, good for second in the individual race, one shot behind Texas Wesleyan's Nathan Anderson.

Second-ranked OC posted a team score of 297, tying the Eagles with No. 1-ranked Oklahoma City University in second place, one shot behind Victoria (British Columbia). William Woods (Mo.) and Johnson & Wales (Fla.) are tied for fourth at 298, with British Columbia sixth at 299, Cumberlands (Ky.) seventh at 305 and No. 3 Texas Wesleyan eighth at 306.

"I was extremely proud of the way we played today," OC coach David Lynn said. "Not many people have to play in the conditions we have to play in for the extended time that we're out in them. I was really pleased with the way that the guys handled it, keeping their chins up and grinding their rear ends off. It was fun to watch."

Although there have been a handful of "sunbreaks" the past couple of days, for the most part, the Willamette Valley has received steady - at some times heavy - rainfall since Sunday. Conditions deteriorated so much that play was suspended for a time during the afternoon rounds because of standing water on some greens and in some bunkers on the 6,887-yard course.

The Eagles, who teed off between 7:50 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, knew the playing conditions would be difficult going in and came prepared mentally, Lynn said.

"The conditions were like none that we've ever seen or that we've played in before," Lynn said. "The best thing about it is we were expecting it. We had already made up our minds ahead of time that we weren't going to let it bother us. That's the key to being mentally tough.

"You give yourself the best chance to be mentally tough and know that you're going to grind on all those shots when you've decided ahead of time that the weather and circumstances are not going to bother you. You're going to understand the weaker teams are going to falter in those conditions and it's to your advantage."

Three OC players - Bogstrand, Preston Wilkins and Logan Herbst, all of whom played on OC's title-winning team last year - jumped out with birdies on the first hole. Wilkins overcame a stretch of three bogeys in four holes and was at even par before a double-bogey on 17 left him at 2-over 74. Herbst also played solid, posting a 75 despite closing with consecutive bogeys.

The team's two newcomers to the event, Jared Consoli and Alasdair Dalgliesh, proved to have the most difficult time. Consoli was 6-over through 15 before closing birdie-birdie-bogey to finish at 5-over 77. Dalgliesh, playing at the No. 1 position for OC, had three double bogeys - two in the first four holes - and shot a 79.

"I was happy for us to be able to not count Ali's score and still be in the mix," Lynn said. "That's what we've done so well all year long. Every week, somebody else is playing good. At any time, any of the five guys can win a tournament. At any time, any of the five guys, we can throw out their score. What that usually means is all five guys are in it. When you tee off, the confidence that that brings to the team, knowing anybody could play well, is important."

Bogstrand got as low as 2-under after consecutive birdies on the par-4 10th and the par-3 11th, but dropped back to even par with a double bogey on the par-3 14th. He birdied the par-5 16th to finish under par for the round.

"I've played in these kind of conditions, so I'm used to it," Bogstrand said. "But still, it's not easy, even though you've played in it before. You've got to be focused on every shot. I'm glad we're not playing 36 (holes in one day) in this weather, like we normally do."

The Eagles will start from the No. 10 tee in the second round, starting at 12:50 p.m. (2:50 CDT).

"This tournament is going to be about who wants it most," Bogstrand said. "That's how it always is at nationals. We're not the only good team. We're not the only team wanting to win."