Sept. 19, 2005
LAWRENCE, Kan. -
After day one at the Kansas Invitational in Lawrence, Kan., senior Kris Wildenradt leads the Illinois State men's golf team after firing a two-round total of 142 (71, 71), leaving him seven strokes off the lead and tied for 10th place. The `Birds finished the day shooting a two-round total of 586 (291,295), tied for 10th place.
Junior Matt Miller helped pace the `Birds in first-round, firing a three-under-par 69 and tied for 1st place. Senior Chris Eddy also posted a strong first-round, shooting a one-over-par 73.
Assistant coach Pina Gentile was satisfied with the scoring from Wildenradt, Miller and Eddy in the first-round.
"Eddy, Wildenradt and Miller played outstanding in the first-round," said Gentile. "I can't say enough on how well those guys came out and played."
In round-two, rains forced a lengthy delay for the `Birds. Miller finished the day shooting a two-round total of 143 (69,74) putting him tied for 13th place. Eddy shot a two-round total of 149 (73,76) and is tied for 55th. Senior Jason Kemp rebounded from a first-round 79 to fire a second-round score of 74, leaving him with a two-round total of 153 and tied for 71st place. Senior Matt Maskel's 156 (78,78) puts him tied for 80th place.
Gentile saw a lot of effort from the `Birds, specifically from Wildenradt in the second-round.
"I was really pleased with Wildenradt in the second-round," said Gentile. "He battled to stay in it. There were times during the round where he was struggling with fatigue, but he hung in there and posted a low score."
Host Kansas finished day one in the lead, shooting a team total of 563 (286,277). The Jayhawks were paced by tournament leader Gary Woodland who shot a two-round total of 135 (69,66).
Gentile is looking forward to tomorrow's round and for Maskel to post a low score.
"I think everyone is looking forward to getting out on the course tomorrow," said Gentile. "I look to Maskel to perform better in the third-round. He's definitely ready."
The Redbirds resume play on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., for the final 18 holes of the tournament.
