Men's Golf | April 28
NASHPORT, Ohio - Finishing the first day of the Mid-American Conference Championship in 10th place, sophomore
Salvador Rocha led the NIU men's golf team in the opening 36-holes, shooting a 77 in the morning (+5) and responding with a 70 (-2) in the afternoon.
Rallied by Rocha's play, Northern Illinois University closed the day in eight place, improving by 15 strokes in the afternoon with a 296 (+8) to pass Bowling Green in the standings. NIU's stroke improvement was the top performance in the field, besting Eastern Michigan's 10-stroke difference.
"This afternoon we came back with some enthusiasm and played much better team golf by taking advantage of the par fives," said Director of Golf
Tom Porten. "Sal was brilliant and Jordan and Thomas were good as well."
Thomas DeMarco shot +1 in the afternoon while
Jordan Less carded a 74 (+2) in the second round. During the opening 18-holes, No. 5
Paul Schlimm kept the Huskies afloat with a 73, carding an eagle on the 10th hole play. DeMarco and Schlimm finished the day tied for 25th.
The start was not the one that Porten had envisioned for NIU entering the day.
"We were out of position off the tee and made too many mental mistakes. Virtues is a terrific golf course and demands that the missed shot falls below the hole or on the wide side of the hole," he said.
However, Porten was pleased with some of the things he saw from individuals.
"I really like how Paul and Sal held us together this morning. Paul fought hard after a tough start with a 73 and Sal was solid as well. Still half the tourney to go and we will try and improve our position again tomorrow in the third round," he closed.
Kent State finished the day -1 as a team, led by co-leader Gisli Sveinbergsson's -6, and with a seven-stroke lead over second place Ball State.
Northern Illinois University will tee off tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. Central time, paired with Akron and Bowling Green in the round.
TEAM SCORES: 1. Kent State - 287-288=575 (-1); 2. Ball State - 294-288=582 (+6); 3. Toledo - 289-300=589 (+13); 4. Eastern Michigan - 303-293=596 (+20); 5. Miami (OH) - 296-301=597 (+21); 6. Ohio - 303-296=599 (+23); 7. Akron - 303-301=604 (+28); 8. NIU - 311-296=607 (+31); 9. Bowling Green - 305-304=609 (+33)
TOP-10 INDIVIDUALS: t1. Gisli Sveinbergsson (KSU) - 68-70=138 (-6); t1. Johnny Watts (BSU) - 69-69=138 (-6); t3. Patrick Flavin (MU) - 69-71=140 (-4); t3. Kyle Rodes (EMU) - 69-71=140 (-4); t5. Colin Joseph (UT) - 74-69=143 (-1); t5. Ian Holt (KSU) - 74-69=143 (-1); 7. Joseph Bryce (UT) - 70-74=144 (E); 8. Chase Johnson (KSU) - 73-72=145 (+1); 9. Timothy Wiseman (BSU) - 72-74=146 (+2); t10. Salvador Rocha (NIU) - 77-70=147 (+3); t10. Michael Makris (BSU) - 76-71=147 (+3); t10. Jose Narro (BGSU) - 73-74=147 (+3)
NIU INDIVIDUALS: t10.
Salvador Rocha - 77-70=147 (+3); t25.
Thomas DeMarco - 80-73=153 (+9); t25.
Paul Schlimm - 73-80=153 (+9); t34.
Jordan Less - 82-74=156 (+12); t41.
Charlie Cameron - 81-79=160 (+16)
