Oct. 13, 2008
Final Stats
NORMAL, Ill. -
The Illinois State men's golf team was led by Kyle Bragg, who fired a 1-over-par 71 in the final round of the D.A. Weibring Intercollegiate at the Weibring Golf Club at Illinois State University to finish in second-place. Bragg led the Redbirds to a second-place finish, clinching ISU's third top-five finish of the fall season.
The Redbirds carded a three-round total of 849 (277-281-291) to capture second-place, behind No. 1 Illinois (831). Bragg blistered the par 70, shooting a 6-under-par 204 (67-66-71) and earned a second-place finish, two back from the leader. Senior Ben Murphy tied for 11th-place after shooting 215 (67-70-78).
Head coach Ray Kralis was proud of how his players battled.
"Our players battled and this was another solid tournament for us," said Kralis. "Illinois may have got in our heads a little, but we can learn from it. It was good to come out of this tournament still undefeated against Missouri Valley teams."
Jeff Kellen shot a 72 in the final round and finished tied for 24th-place, with a three-round total of 219 (69-78-72), while Tommy Bliefnick played consistent golf, shooting a 220 (73-74-74) and ending the tournament tied for 26th. Joe Emerich shot 223 (76-72-75) and finished tied for 40th.
Competing individually for the Redbirds was Will Cullen, Drew North, Eric Meier and Matt Ryba. Cullen led the individuals after shooting a 214 (70-71-73) and tied for ninth, while North cracked the top-20 after shooting a 218 (73-72-73) and placed tied for 19th. Meier ended his first tournament as a Redbird tied for 62nd after netting a three-round total of 230 (71-78-81), while Ryba carded a 233 (81-80-72) and finished tied for 69th.
Top-ranked Illinois won the D.A. Weibring for the second-consecutive year, after shooting a three-round total of 831 (276-279-276), beating last year's mark by six strokes. Scott Langley of Illinois took medalist honors, shooting a 201 (64-67-70). Illinois State finished tops among Missouri Valley Conference teams, beating Southern Illinois (sixth), Missouri State (seventh-place), Northern Iowa (ninth-place), Bradley (10th-place) and Creighton (11th-place).
The Redbirds will conclude their fall season, Oct. 27-28, in the Sam H. Hall Intercollegiate at Hattiesburg Country Club.
