DALLAS, Texas – The No. 18 Fighting Illini take the Day 1 lead with a score of 573 (-3) after two rounds of play at the Trinity Forest Invitational. The Orange and Blue posted a 289 (+1) in the first round and an impressive 284 (-4) in the second round at Trinity Forest Golf Club (Par 72, 6,233).

"The team finished round one well today and played solid in round 2 in more challenging wind conditions," said head coach Renee Slone.

Individually, three out of the five Illini finished in the top 10. The Illini were paced all day by freshman Crystal Wang, who sits atop of the individual leaderboard with a 141(-3). One stroke shy of the top spot, senior Bing Singhsumalee is tied for second individually with a 142 (-2).

"My mission for the day is to focus," said Wang. "Every day is a new day and I focus on one shot at a time. Our team did well also because we keep it simple and have a lot of energy."

Freshman Kornkamol Sukaree posted nine birdies with five in the second round. Her birdie total ties Oregon State's Ellie Slama for the top spot. Sukaree ended the day tied for fifth with a 146 (+2).

"What a great opportunity to play at a PGA Tour venue and different style of golf course," noted Slone. "This event has enabled us to work on a few different shots and add them to our arsenal."

Rounding out the fivesome are junior Tristyn Nowlin and sophomore Ali Morallos, who both finished in the top 30 individually. Nowlin started off steady with an even-par 72 in the opening round. Following a slow start in the second round, the Richmond, Ky. native remained bogey free after hole No. 18. After the first round, Morallos climbed 21 spots in the rankings to finish tied for 25th with 150 (+6).

Playing as an individual, freshman Katie Hallinan showed improvement with a 150 (+6), tying for 25th with eight players that include teammate Morallos. In the opening round, Hallinan was bogey-free on the front nine holes.

The only team to finish under par, the Illini lead the field with 32 birdies. Rounding out the top three is No. 38 Tennessee in second (+4), while UTSA follows close behind in third (+8).

The final round of the Trinity Forest Invitational will begin Tuesday morning with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. CT. The Illini lineup will tee off on holes No. 1-4 in the order of Singhsumalee, Wang, Sukaree, Nowlin, and Morallos. Competing as an individual, Hallinan will start on hole No. 9.

"We are looking forward to a great day tomorrow to conclude our fall season," said Slone.

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