April 15, 2008

LAKE CHARLES, La. - After a tough opening round of competition, the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack golf team battled back to post a six-over par, 294, Tuesday afternoon at the Southland Conference Championships in Lake Charles, La. SFA enters the final day of competition eighth overall with a two-day score of 313-294 - 607.

Nationally-ranked Lamar overtook field Tuesday to claim the lead heading into the final round of competition. The Cardinals own a 14-stroke advantage heading into Wednesday's round.

The 'Jacks received a huge boost from freshman Kyle Robbins who carded a four-under par, 68, to finish two-over for the tournament. Robbins cut 10 strokes off his lead from Monday, and enters the final round tied for eighth overall.

Freshman Michael Smith recorded a four-over 76 for the second consecutive day. The Cedar Park, Texas, native is currently tied for 25th overall with an eight-over par, 152.

Sophomore Ricky Wilkenfeld shot an identical four-over 76 Tuesday, and is only three strokes off Smith's pace for the tournament. Wilkenfeld is currently 35th overall after shooting a 155. Classmate Matt Oates recorded the team's second-best improvement by cutting nine strokes off his opening day score. The Diboll, Texas, native carded a two-over 74 to finish the day tied for 37th overall with a 157.

Freshman Jacob Taylor rounded out the Lumberjacks scoring after carding a six-over par, 78. Taylor is currently tied for 43rd overall.

The Lumberjacks return to action at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning for the final round of the SLC Championships. Live scoring will be available throughout the tournament at www.sfajacks.com.

-SFA-

2008 SLC Championships
Gray Plantation G.C. - Lake Charles, La.
April 15, 2008
Teams	                     Score
1. Lamar	             298-278 - 576 (E)
2. Sam Houston State	     297-293 - 590 (+14)
3. Texas State	             300-292 - 592 (+16)
4. Southeastern Louisiana    301-292 - 593 (+17)
5. Texas-Arlington	     302-299 - 601 (+25)
6. McNeese State	     313-289 - 602 (+26)
7. Central Arkansas	     308-298 - 606 (+30)
8. Stephen F. Austin	     313-294 - 607 (+31)
9. Texas-San Antonio	     308-301 - 609 (+33)
10. Nicholls State	     310-307 - 617 (+41)