HOLLISTER, Mo. - Senior Zach Wanken (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) and junior Coby Thompson (East Galesburg, Ill./Knoxville) both matched their lowest rounds of the spring with second-round 72's to help the Bradley men's golf team to the squad's lowest round of the spring Monday at the Branson Creek Invitational. The Braves closed out the opening day of play in ninth place at par-71 Branson Creek Golf Club.
Bradley improved by 20 shots in the second round, following up a first-round 319 with the team's lowest round of the spring (299). Each of the Braves five individuals improved in the second round and BU's 20-shot improvement from the first round was best in the field.
Wanken was the Braves top performer during Monday's action, finishing the day tied for 11th at five-over par 147 after rounds of 75 and 77. Thompson is two shots behind Wanken in a tie for 14th (149) following scores of 77 and 72.
Senior Zach Zobrist (Morton, Ill./Peoria Christian) recovered from a first-round 84 to shoot a four-over 76 and will begin Tuesday's third round tied for 48th at 160. Freshman Cory Verseman (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) is five shots behind Zobrist in a tie for 52nd at 165 after scores of 83 and 82. Junior Nathan Perry (Normal, Ill./Normal West) was 10 shots better in the second round, firing a 79 to finish the day in 54th at 168.
Northern Illinois sits atop the team standings after 36 holes with a two-round total of 586. Southern Illinois is three shots behind the Huskies in second at 589 and Western Illinois is five shots off the pace in third (591). Stephen F. Austin is fourth overall at 592 and holds a six-shot lead on fifth-place Northern Iowa (598).
Creighton closed out Monday's action in sixth (601) and tournament-host Missouri State followed in seventh (603). Houston Baptist enters the final round in eighth (606) and is followed by Bradley in ninth at 618 to complete the field.
Bradley closes out play at the Branson Creek Invitational Tuesday with one round of play.
