Jackets Struggle Day One of Invite (2/19/07)
Round 1 Results

AUSTIN, TX – The Montana State-Billings men’s golf team sits in fifteenth place following 18-holes of play at the St. Edward’s Invitational held in Austin February 19 and 20.  The Yellowjackets will wrap up play Tuesday shooting a final 18-holes.

Abilene Christian holds a four-stroke advantage over host team St. Edward’s and Cameron University shooting a first-day total 312.  Northeastern State and Barry University are tied for fourth with a 317 and are just five shots back from the lead.  The Yellowjackets shot a combined 350.

"Our players were a bit rusty coming into the invite as this was our first time playing outdoors in a couple of months," said Yellowjacket head coach Jesse Valdez.  "The wind was blowing and the fairways were pretty narrow. Hopefully now that we hit off the grass today, we can improve our scores tomorrow."

Nick Gillaspy from Barry University sits atop the leader board shooting an even-par 72.  One-stroke back is Michael Lee of Cameron University with a first round 73.  Third place is shared by Barry’s Hernan Borja and Abilene Christian’s Stephen Knight who are three-stokes back shooting  a round of 75.  The Yellowjackets’ Zach Abels (Twin Falls, ID) carded a 79 and is in a seven-way tie for sixteenth.  Michael Konrad (Rupert, ID) shot a 12 over-par 84.

Following tomorrow’s round, the Yellowjackets will compete at the Cal State-Bakersfield Invitational February 26 and 27.

Team Standings
1. Abilene Christian – 312; T2. St. Edward’s – 316; T2. Cameron University – 316; T4. Northeastern – 317; T4. Barry University – 317; 6. Colorado-CO Springs – 320; 7. East Central Oklahoma – 323; 9. St. Mary’s – 324; T10. Western New Mexico – 328; T10. Incarnate Word – 328; 12. Florida Institute of Tech – 331; 13. Midwestern State – 332; 14. Dallas Baptist – 337; Montana State-Billings – 350.

Top Five Individuals              School                                     Score
1. Nick Gillaspy                    Barry University                    72
2. Michael Lee                     Cameron University                73
T3. Hernan Borja                  Barry University                    75
T3. Stephen Knight               Abilene Christian                   75
T5. Tyler Bishop                   Colorado-CO Springs              76
T5. Matt Ellis                       Central Oklahoma                  76

MSU Billings Standings
T16. Zach Abels – 79
T49. Michael Konrad – 84
T57. Jason Kinsey – 85
80. Travis Gates – 102
81. Mike Watson – 105