WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Junior Caitlin Sims shot a 5-over-par 149 (77-72) over the first two rounds of William & Mary's Kingsmill Intercollegiate at the par-72, 6,025-yard Kingsmill Resort River Course.
As a team, Illinois State is in sixth place in the 15-team field with a two-round score of 612 (308-304). The Redbirds were tied for sixth place with Bucknell at the conclusion of the first round with a 308, before shooting a 304 in the second round. Richmond leads the event with a 597 (303-294), three strokes ahead of second place Akron.
Sims carded 5-over-par 77 in the first round and an impressive even-par 72 in the second round. The junior produced four birdies on the day and played the par-5s at 2-under-par. Sims currently sits in an eighth place tie on the individual leaderboard.
Next on the leaderboard for the Redbirds was senior Kiley Walsh, who finished her day in a tie for 18th place and accumulated a total score of 153 (77-76). Walsh played the par-5s at an impressive 3-under-par. Finishing one stroke behind Walsh was sophomore Morgan Savage, who shot a 154 (78-76). Savage carded 4 birdies over the first two rounds. Sophomore Paige Seiser shot a total score of 158 (78-80). The sophomore was one of five student-athletes who produced an eagle. Rounding out the scoring for Illinois State was senior Abby Luchtenburg, who carded a 161 (76-85).
"We had a great group effort today where everyone contributed on some level in both rounds and we are really working hard at maintaining that type of level of performance from everyone right now," said head coach Darby Sligh. "There's a lot of buy in and positive energy surrounding this squad and we want this kind of momentum heading into the end of the spring. Caitlin is on fire right now shooting a 72 in the second round and is four strokes off the lead. We are looking at some terrible weather coming in tonight and we are hoping to be able to get out there and finish the job tomorrow."
The Redbirds conclude the tournament Tuesday with the third and final round, which starts with a shotgun start beginning at 9 a.m.
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