After a slight rain delay at the Missouri Valley Conference womens golf championship in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Illinois States Samantha Richdale took control of the tournament, shooting a 74 in todays first round to put her name at the top of the championship leaderboard.
Illinois State head coach
Ray Kralis was happy with the play of the freshman, Richdale.
A great round by Samantha today, said Kralis. She continues to come back for us and set the pace for our team. Her round was definitely huge.
Richdales two-over par 74 led the Redbirds in their quest for the tournament title. Picked to win the championship, the Birds turned in a team score of 316, sitting just one stroke behind Southern Illinois. Behind Richdale was ISUs Katie Laehn, who is currently in a tie for 8th place with a 79. Kaila Fuller shot an 80, good enough for 15th going into Mondays second round. Other Redbird finishers were 24th-place Ashlie Rose (83), Ashlee Johnson (85) and Albiona Zhubi, who carded an 86 to tie for 34th.
On the team side of the tournament, Southern Illinois leads with a 315, ISU is just one stroke back with a 316, and Bradley rounds out the top three with a 317. Wichita State sits in fourth after the first round, with a 323. Creighton carded a 324, Northern Iowa turned in a team score of 325 and SMS and Evansville are tied for the seventh place spot with a score of 332.
Kralis had hoped the Birds would lead the eight-team field from the opening round.
It was my hope we would set the pace from the start, Kralis said. But Im also aware that a tournament isnt won or lost in the first round of a three-round event. The cold, windy conditions made it hard for everyone but Im definitely happy that were only one stoke behind Southern going into the second round.
Play will continue Monday with the second round of the championship, with the concluding round of the tounament scheduled for Tuesday.
Kralis views Monday as a key day for the Redbirds.
Weve got ourselves right in the hunt, Kralis said. Hopefully we can just get at the head of the race tomorrow and separate ourselves from the field. Tomorrow will be a big day in the big picture of things.
