April 11, 2006
JONESBORO, Ark. -
Junior Matt Miller led the Illinois State men's golf team at the 10th Annual Arkansas State Indian Classic, firing a three-round total of 230 (77, 75, 78), tied for 34th at the RidgePointe Country Club in Jonesboro, Ark. The `Birds struggled as a team in the final-round and finished in 13th place with a three-round total of 921 (297, 309, 315).
Head coach Ray Kralis was disappointed with today's outcome, but is glad that the team has some time to get ready for the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship.
"Unfortunately, we didn't make the move in the standings like we wanted to," said Kralis. "It's a little disappointing, and we are not leaving with a great taste in our mouths. But we will learn from this and have a productive week of practice heading into the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship."
Senior Kris Wildenradt fired a three-round total of 232 (74, 78, 80) and finished in 45th place. Seniors Chris Eddy (76, 77, 80) and Matt Maskel (70, 79, 84) both fired a three-round total of 233 and tied for 46th. Senior Jason Kemp rounded out the lineup, firing a three-round total of 238 (80, 81, 77) and finished tied for 67th.
Playing as an individual, freshman Ben Murphy fired a three-round total of 240 (82, 80, 78) and finished in 70th.
New Orleans and Oral Roberts finished regulation tied with a total team score of 895 when New Orleans won the title on the second playoff hole. Missouri Valley Conference member Northern Iowa finished in sixth-place and were led by Derek Bohlen, who won medalist honors by firing a final-round one-under-par 71 to finish with a three-round total of 215 (72, 72, 71). Other Valley schools competing included Missouri State (tied for third-place), Southern Illinois (eighth-place) and Drake (tied for ninth-place).
The Redbirds travel to play in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship held April 24th-25th at the Prairie Dunes Golf Club in Hutchinson, Kan.
