LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Illinois State men's golf team sits in first place after the first day of the Little Rock Invitational at the par-72, 7,326-yard Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Junior Trent Wallace currently ranks among the top two on the individual leaderboard after firing a 5-under-par 139 (71-68) through the first day.
The Redbirds began the day with a 12-over-par 300, but bounced back with a 6-under-par 282 to finish with a two-round total of 6-over-par 582. ISU sits one stroke behind host Little Rock and seven strokes ahead of UT-Arlington.
Senior Zach Burry is right behind Wallace in a tie for seventh place on the individual leaderboard with a score of 143, after tallying a 1-over-par 73 (37-36) in the first round and a 2-under-par 70 (32-38) in the second round, adding 10 total birdies.
 Sophomore David Perkins shot a 4-over-par 76 (40-36) followed by a 3-under-par 69 (34-35) in the second round to finish with a 145 after the first two rounds.
Junior David Rauer shot an 8-over-par 80 (43-37) in the first round and a 3-over-par 75 (38-37) in the second round, finishing with a 155 on the day.
Freshman Andrew O'Brien rounded out the scoring for the Redbirds with a 175 after the first two rounds. O'Brien started the day with a 13-over-par 85 (40-45) and finished with an 18-over-par 90 (43-47) in the second round.
"Trent & Zach gave us big morning rounds when we were struggling as a team and kept us in the mix within striking distance of most of the field," said head coach Ray Kralis. "We capitalized in the afternoon as both guys kept it going and Dave joined in on the fun. Round two was a statement round and shows the type of leadership we have in those guys. They all but erased an 18-shot deficit to set up an exciting final round. Our depth and consistency has been a strength all fall, so that will serve us well tomorrow."
The tournament concludes Tuesday with the final 18 holes, with teams starting at holes one and 10 beginning at 8 a.m. CST.
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