NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Ryan Smith, Southeast Missouri State University's standout freshman golfer, is in second place and just one stroke off the lead after Monday's opening round of the Ohio Valley Conference Championships.

Smith fired a 3-under-par 69 at the Springhouse Golf Course. He trails defending OVC champion Brett Alexander of Middle Tennessee, who had a 68 to tie his own tourney record.

Defending champion Middle Tennessee leads the 10-team field at 290. Rounding out the top five are Tennessee-Martin (293), Morehead State (294), Southeast (297) and Eastern Kentucky (298).

Southeast's Jake Saladin is tied for ninth at 73 while Jason Owen is tied for 18th at 75. Other scores for the Indians were Derek Rahlmann (80) and Brian Johnson (83).

The second round will be played today, with the tourney concluding Wednesday.