Sept. 30, 2007

WINONA, Minn. (The Bridges Golf Club) -- Twenty-seven players failed to compete the first round of the Express Suites Riverport Inn Championship in Winona, Minn. Sunday as storm clouds moved in and play was suspended due to lightening.

The Bemidji State University men's golf team, however, beat the storm and turned in a 287 (+7) to sit in a tie with Upper Iowa University for third place behind St. Cloud State University, who was +5) after 13 holes, and the host Winona State University (282; +2).

The Beavers were led by the duo of Michael Abrahamson (Jr., Duluth, Minn.) and Clint Cornell (Sr., Grand Rapids, Minn.). Abrahamson completed the first 18 holes with a one-under-par 69 equaling two others for the top spot on the leaderboard while Cornell was just one stroke behind (70; E) locked in a tie for fourth place.

The suspended first round of play will resume at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning with the final 18 holes scheduled for a 10 a.m. start at The Bridges Golf Club in Winona. Minn.

Complete individual results have not been made available.

Partial First Round Results
Team
1. Winona State - 282 (+2)
2. St. Cloud State - +5 through 13 holes
t-3. Bemidji State 287 (+7)
t-3. Upper Iowa - 287 (+7)
5. Concordia-St. Paul - +9 through 13 holes
6. Minnesota, Crookston - +13 through 13 holes

Individual
t-1. Michael Abrahamson, BSU - 69 (-1)
t-1. Keegan Drugan, WSU - 69 (-1)
t-1. Adam Winans, UIU - 69 (-1)
t-4. Clint Cornell, BSU - 70 (E)
t-4. Kevin Loefler, WSU - 70 (E)
t-6. Josh Wells, UIU - 71 (+1)
t-6. Ross Wilhelm, WSU - 71 (+1)
t-6. John Anderson, WSU - 71 (+1)

--bsu--