INDEPENDENCE, Minn. – Junior Gray Mitchum‘s strong final round helped UNCW finish 11th overall at the season-opening Gopher Invitational on Monday at the Windsong Golf Course.

Host Minnesota and Iowa State finished tied for first in the 15-team field at eight-over for the three-round event. Iowa State jumped six spots in the final round to tie the Gophers.

The Seahawks, who began the final day in 12th, were one-over in the final round to move past West Virginia for 11th. UNCW finished one shot behind Baylor, which placed 10th.

Mitchum powered the Seahawks on the final day by carding a three-under-par 68 to jump 24 spots and into the top 20 in the standings. His score tied for third lowest in the final round.

Newcomer James Rico placed 28th for UNCW.

The Seahawks next compete on Sept. 22-23 at the Rod Myers Invitational, hosted by Duke, in Durham, N.C.