FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Behind a strong pair of rounds from TJ Barger and Pietro Pontiggia, the Illinois State Redbirds climbed late in the first day, and head into the final 18 holes within striking distance of a strong finish.
Barger, behind a 142 (+2) is tied for 16th place through 36 holes, while Pontiggia, who shot a 143 (+3) is tied for 23rd with a round to play.
Tournament host Colorado State leads the field with an even par 560 on the par-70 course, with Long Beach State (561), Utah Tech (563), Utah Valley (566), UC San Diego (567), and Weber State (567) close behind. The Redbirds, who are at 587 will also continue to chase Denver (579), UC Davis (579), and Sacramento State (580), while attempting to hold off Cal State Fullerton (588), UC Santa Barbara (590), Wichita State (593), CSU Northridge (602), Utah State (603), and Wyoming (605).
Barger led the way for ISU in the first round with a one-under 69, using four birdies and 11 pars, before coming back with a three-over 73 as he added a fifth birdie on the day and 13 more pars.
Pontiggia finished his first time around the course with a three-over 73 with a birdie and 13 pars, before coming back in the afternoon round with an even-par 70, which included four birdies and 10 pars to climb 13 spots individually.
Francis Bautista put together a 36-hole score of 151, which is 11 shots over par, as he is tied for 64th. He had an opening round of 79, which he followed with a 72, as he had four birdies over the 36 holes.
Sophomore Max Faucquez had the team's only eagle on the day – on his 35th hole of the tournament – and his 153 (+13) has him tied for 76th, as he also had four birdies over his day. Aiden Cudney is tied for 78th after rounds of 79 and 75, while adding two birdies to the Redbird total in the tournament.
The Redbirds and the 15 other schools in the tournament return to the course on Friday for the third and final round of the tournament, hosted at Fort Collins Country Club.
