Feb. 21, 2006
PARRISH, Fla. -
Moving up one place from yesterday, the Illinois State women's golf team finished the Central District Invitational hosted by Michigan State in 12th place with a three-round score of 935 (304,324,307). The `Birds stepped out on the course for the final round and finished with a 17-stroke improvement from the second round.
Samantha Richdale took fourth-place individually for the tournament. With all of her rounds in the 70's and only seven strokes shy of first place, Richdale shot a three-round score of 222 (70,78,74). Moving up 16 places from yesterday, Chelsea Bach landed a spot tied for 36th place with 234 (79,80,75). Following Bach, Kaitlin Troop finished tied for 63rd place with 241 (77,81.83) and Ashlie Rose finished in 74th with 260 (92,85,83). Hilary Anderson contributed a first-round score of 78 and was forced to withdraw from the second-round of the tournament due to heat stroke. However, coming back to a fresh day, Anderson was able to shoot a 75 for the final round.
Head coach Ray Kralis was satisfied with the final round his team put on the leader board, but recognized that there is still room for improvement.
"Fairly solid round today," said Kralis. "We were missing one score from really having an opportunity to move up more, but overall we had a blend of good golf and some golf that shows we have some work to do. It was a great tournament for Samantha, and a good way to kick off her spring campaign."
Currently ranked number eight in the region, Baylor led the tournament from the start and took the lead to the finish with a three-round score of 896 (302,298,296). Ohio State took second with 907, Southern Methodist in third with 908 and Nebraska came in fourth with 914. Missing fourth by one stroke was Missouri with 915 and Louisiana State took sixth with 921. Kansas took seventh and Michigan State took eighth. Tied for ninth place was Michigan and Northwestern with 925. Notre Dame finished only three strokes ahead of Illinois State in 11th place. Behind ISU was Kansas State and Texas Tech.
Only three teams of the 14-team field shot lower than Illinois State's first (304) and third (307) scores. Kralis recognized the importance of putting forth a strong effort in all three rounds.
"I leave here pretty optimistic," said Kralis. "Obviously it is a three-round event and that's why you have to play them all. But I know if we can go toe-to-toe with this field for two rounds, then we can do it for three. I am convinced that we can and need to have that three-round performance come regional time and I am positive we will get there."
The Redbirds return to action for another 54 holes, March 6-7 at the Peggy Kirk Bell Invitational in Winter Springs, Fla.
