Men's Golf Sits in Third Place at ASU Red Wolf Intercollegiate

JONESBORO, Ark. - After the first two rounds of play, the Illinois State men's golf team sits in third place with a team score of 589 (306,283). Dealing with cold and windy weather conditions in the first round, the Redbirds shot a 306, but then quickly recovered to end the second round with a low-round team score of 283 at the Ridge Pointe Country Club.

Parker Freiburg led the Redbirds after coming back in the second round to shoot a 70 for a score of 144 (74, 70). Freiburg is currently tied for second place on the individual leaderboard, only two strokes from the number one spot.

Head coach Ray Kralis was pleased with his squad's ability to come back in the second round after the first.

"We struggled a bit in the morning under tough conditions, but I was pleased with how the guys carried themselves and battled," Kralis said. "We needed a strong second round in order to stay in contention and the guys delivered with under-par scores from Tyler, Parker and Jordan. We will need a strong team effort Tuesday to make it interesting, and I am confident the guys are up for the challenge."

Tyler Gentilella fired a 68, after struggling in the morning round, to finish with a score of 145 (77,68), and tied for sixth. Jordan Fahel stepped up his game to shoot a 1-under-par in the second round to end the day with a score of 149 (79,70), and tied for 19th place. Wils Hawn shot an eagle in the second round to assist him in finishing with a 152 (76,76), while Kyle Meihofer ended the day with a score of 165 (79,86). Competing as an individual, Christian Crabill improved in the second round and finished with a score of 161 (83,78).

Host Arkansas State currently holds first place with a score of 580 (285, 295), trailed by Belmont which is two strokes behind. Easton Key from Arkansas State is first on the individual leaderboard with a two-round score of 141 (70,71). Second place has a four-way tie between Freiburg, DePaul's Morita Ackerhans, Hudson Carpenter from South Dakota State, and Belmont golfer Ben Simpson.

The Redbirds finished ahead of fellow Missouri Valley Conference members Northern Iowa and Drake, as well as DePaul and Creighton.

Illinois State will try to claim first place in the third round as it will begin Tuesday with an 8 a.m. shotgun start.