KEVIN JENISON

GoSycamores.com

YORKTOWN, IND. ? Sophomore Emily Dixon fired a five-over 77 to lead the Indiana State effort in the first round of the Cardinal Collegiate Monday with the Sycamores in 13th with a opening round 321. The tournament is being played at The Players Club in Yorktown and hosted by Ball State University.

Dixon had a 41 on the front nine but came back with an even par 36 on the back to finish the first day tied for 26th out of the 80 individuals competing. Freshman McCall Christopher shot a 79 on the day and is tied for 41st with sophomore Christina Beyerl tied for 51st with an 82, senior Britney Martin is tied for 60th with an 83, and junior Reece Feducia is tied for 66th after opening with an 84. Senior Diana Price shot an 89 in the opening round and is in 76th after the first day.

Ohio University and Western Michigan share the lead after the first round at 297 with Southern Illinois third (299), California (Pa.) University fourth (300), and IUPUI fifth (306). Eastern Kentucky is sixth (307) followed by Ball State (308), Ashland University (309), Youngstown State (310), Bowling Green (311), Oakland University (314), Northern Illinois (315), Indiana State (321), and Dayton (326).

Britney Hamilton of Western Michigan is the top individual after the first `18-holes with a two-under 70. Jenna Rothermel of California (Pa.) University is second with a one-under 71 while IUPUI's Jordan Woods, Eastern Kentucky's April Emerson, Ball State's Rachael Pruett, Ashland's Erin Misheff, Youngstown State's Kathryn Rogner are tied for third with even par 72s.

The second round will begin at 9 a.m. (ET) with a shotgun start. Indiana State will be paired with Dayton and start the final round on holes 14-16. Ohio, Western Michigan, and Southern Illinois will start on holes 1-3, California (Pa.), IUPUI, and Western Kentucky on holes 4-7, and Bowling Green, Oakland, and Northern Illinois on holes 11-13.

The tournament is being played on the 6,258 yard, par 72 course at The Players club.