Sept. 21, 2009
Jim Colbert Intercollegiate Round 1 stats 
Manhattan, Kan. - Illinois State men's golf head coach Ray Kralis was looking for four solid scores heading into the Jim Colbert Intercollegiate. His team gave him what he asked for as the Redbirds sit alone in second place after firing a first round score of 295 in the nine-team field. The first round was canceled Monday morning due to severe weather. What was supposed to be a three-round tournament will now be two-rounds.
Seniors Tommy Bliefnick and Joe Emerich are tied for sixth-place after each fired first round scores of a 2-over-par 73. Junior Jeff Kellen is tied for eighth-place after carding a 3-over-par 74 and senior Kyle Bragg rounded out the top four with a 4-over-par 75. Sophomore Eric Meier finished his round tied for 32nd place with a 10-over-par 81.
Kralis was pleased with his team's effort despite the weather problems.
"The golf course was a tough test, the strong wind and the elevation changes made for a very challenging day," Kralis said. "To stay patient out there at the same time we had to be into it, we had to hit good golf shots. I was very pleased with the team effort we had today to have four scores at 75 or better, which was a strong team effort from the group."
Host Kansas State is in the lead with a 287, followed by the Redbirds with a 295. Kansas rounded out the top three after posting a 297.
"We have to go into tomorrow taking care of ourselves," Kralis said. "There is so much that can happen on this golf course and I like where we are sitting chasing Kansas State. It's going to take a great team effort for us tomorrow to catch them."
Nate Barbee of Kansas is alone in first place after firing a 2-under-par 69. Kyle Peterman of Western Illinois and Joe Ida of Kansas State are tied for second place after each posted a 1-under-par 71.
Tuesday's final round will begin with a shot-gun start at 8:30 a.m.
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