March 10, 2008

ONEONTA, Ala. - Led by sophomore Tommy Bliefnick's first-round score of 73, the Illinois State men's golf team is alone in seventh place following round-one action at the Samford Intercollegiate, hosted by Samford at the par-72, 6,987 yard Limestone Springs Golf Club. Due to darkness, second rounds were started but not completed and will conclude Tuesday prior to final round action.

Bliefnick currently stands in 18th place and is just four strokes behind individual leader Josh Gallman of USC Upstate. Three other Redbirds joined Bliefnick in the top-35 as redshirt sophomore Joe Emerich posted a 74 and is currently tied for 21st, while junior Ben Murphy and freshman Jeff Kellen are tied for 34th after each firing first-round 75's.

As a team, ISU tallied a team-total of 297 and the Redbirds are nine strokes behind Eastern Kentucky, who leads the 17-team event. Two teams are currently tied for second as USC Upstate and New Orleans each recorded 289's as a team in round-one.

Head coach Ray Kralis feels his team is ready for a breakthrough day Tuesday.

"I am very pleased with our team effort today," said Kralis. "We were playing solid until the darkness began to set in with just a few holes left, so I am looking for us to finish strong when the second round concludes. I feel like we are in a position to make a move up the leaderboard and I think we have something special in us for tomorrow."

The final holes of round two will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday. There will be a break following the conclusion of the second round, so tee times for round three have yet to be announced.