RedStorm men win IU East Fall Invitational

Rio Grande Sports Information
     RICHMOND, Ind. - The University of Rio Grande men's golf team led from start to finish and opened its Fall schedule with a victory in the IU East Fall Invitational, which finished on Saturday at the Highland Lake Golf Course.
     The RedStorm, who received votes in the NAIA preseason Top 25, topped seven other teams by carding a 36-hole total of 4-over par 580.
     Earlham College finished four shots back in second place, while St. Mary-of-the-Woods finished third at 9-over 585.
     SMWC's Justin Hopkins took medalist honors by carding a 4-under par 140, posting a two-stroke win over Rio sophomore Juan Carlos Gil Perez (Malaga, Spain) and Sam Firebaugh from Indiana University East.
     Rio sophomore Alfonso Baro Rosas (Cancun, Mexico) and Earlham's Adam Strecker tied for fourth at 1-under 143, while junior Rodrigo Portilla (Sevilla, Spain) tied with Earlham's Vassilu Lombard tied for sixth at even-par 144.
     Also representing the RedStorm in the 50-golfer field was senior Nicolas Gonzalez (Medellin, Columbia), who was part of a seven-way tie for 25th place at 8-over par 152, and freshman Fernando Cirajas (Valladolid, Spain), who tied for 35th place 10-over par 154.
     Rio Grande returns to action on Tuesday at the Lawrence Tech Collegiate Kickoff in Thompsonville, Mich.