Flashes Lead Heading into Final Day of Flyer Invitational
10/21/2024 8:02:00 PM | Men's Golf
KETTERING, Ohio – The Kent State men's golf team teed off the final tournament of the Fall season on Monday with the opening two rounds of the Dayton Flyer Invitational contested at NCR Country Club. The Flashes sit atop the team standings with a current score of even-par. After firing a 3-over-par 287 in round one, round two play was suspended due to darkness with a handful of holes remaining. Kent State is currently 3-under-par in round three with the remaining holes set to be played Tuesday morning before round three.
After multiple impressive performances in his first collegiate Fall season, Isaiah Ibit came to play on day one of the Flyer Invitational. The freshman holds a three-stroke lead atop the individual contingent of 79 golfers at 4-under-par, firing a 2-under-par 69 in round one and currently sitting at 2-under-par in round two. Ibit's first round was nearly flawless, with three birdies to just one bogey, while an eagle and three birdies highlighted his second-round performance.
One golfer who will look to chase Ibit atop the leaderboard is Jordan Gilkison. The Flashes' senior leader is tied for second place with three other golfers after day one at 1-under-par. Gilkison fired a 1-under-par 70 to open his day, highlighted by four back-nine birdies, and currently sits at even-par in round two with 16 consecutive pars. The Springboro, Ohio native is in a strong position for his fourth top-ten finish of the season.
Making his second consecutive team appearance for the Flashes, Edvin Backstrom is in the top ten ahead of Tuesday's conclusion to the Flyer Invitational. The senior opened his day with a 4-over-par 75 in round one before responding with a resolute performance in round two, in which he is currently 3-under-par with one hole to play.
Bryce Reed rounded out an impressive all-around team performance on Monday for the Flashes. After opening his first round with four consecutive bogeys, the senior fired back with three bogeys to conclude the first round with a 2-over-par 73. Reed also sits at 2-over-par with one hole to play in his second round, bringing his current score to 4-over-par and tied for 22nd place within the individual standings.
Competing as an individual, Ramiro Acevedo followed up an impressive performance at last week's Golden Flash Individual with a determined start to the Flyer Invitational. The freshman from Argentina posted a 3-over-par 74 in round one before an improved round two in which he is 1-over-par with two holes to play. Acevedo's cumulative score of 4-over-par has him tied for 22nd place alongside Reed.
Heading into Tuesday's final day of action, the Flashes are ten strokes ahead of second-placed Miami (Ohio). Kent State will look to close its first team victory since the 2022 MAC Championship as play is set to resume at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
Dayton Flyer Invitational Standings (Round 2 Incomplete)
1. Kent State: 287-261 (E)
2. Miami (Ohio): 290-255 (+10)
3. Marquette: 285-267 (+11)
4. Dayton: 295-266 (+13)
5. Butler: 290-214 (+17)
T-6. Marshall: 293-273 (+18)
T-6. Loyola-Chicago: 292-210 (+18)
8. Cleveland State: 297-249 (+20)
9. Wright State: 296-264 (+21)
10. Winthrop: 298-211 (+25)
11. DePaul: 298-214 (+28)
12. Bowling Green: 300-269 (+34)
Kent State Standings (Round 2 Incomplete)
1. Isaiah Ibit: 69-65 (-4)
T-2. Jordan Gilkison: 70-63 (-1)
T-10. Edvin Backstrom: 75-64 (+1)
T-22. Bryce Reed: 73-69 (+4)
T-22. Ramiro Acevedo (i): 74-64 (+4)
T-54. Nolan Haynes: 76-50 (+10)
66. Connor Malicki (i): 80-72 (+14)
Players Mentioned
