MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. – The Midwestern State Mustangs got strong play from Derek Oland and Sam Smith to stand third as a team after the first two rounds of the University of North Alabama Spring Classic at the Fightin' Joe Course of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at the Shoals.
 
Oland and Smith are tied for fifth individually after touring the par 72, 7,126 yard course twice in 1-over par 145.
 
Oland, a freshman from McKinney/Boyd, fired a 4-under-68 in the morning's opening round, but followed with a 5-over-77 in the afternoon round.
 
Smith, a junior from Archer City, opened up with a 1-under-71 and added a 2-over-74 in the afternoon to lead the Mustangs.
 
Thanks to the pair, the Mustangs tallied a 297-298—595 to stand third.  Host North Alabama posted two rounds under par on their home course to lead as a team at 3-under-573, with Wilmington (Del.) standing in second at 587.  MSU holds a one stroke advantage over Huntingdon (Ala.) at 596 and two over Cameron (Okla.) at 598.
 
"Derek had great ball striking in the first round," said MSU Coach Jeff Ray.  "He eagled 17 and birdied 18 to come in at 68."
 
"Sam played well both rounds from tee to green.  He struggled a bit on some of the greens."
 
The Mustangs got a 155 from Raine Copeland after rounds of 79 and 76, with Brett Perry adding a pair of 79's for a 158.  Jeremy LeGuen posted a 156 for the day, as he started with an 85 in the first 18 and countered with a 1-under-71 in the afternoon.
 
"We are in position to have a great finish," added Ray.  "This is the best field we have played this year."
 
The Mustangs conclude the tournament with a final round on Tuesday.
 
 

North Alabama Spring Classic
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail -- Fighting Joe Course Muscle Shoals, Ala. Par-72, 7,126 yards
Team Leaderboard
Place	Team	Round Scores	Total	To Par
1	North Alabama	287-286	573	-3
2	Wilmington (Dela.)	299-288	587	+11
3	Midwestern State (Texas)	297-298	595	+19
4	Huntingdon College	304-292	596	+20
5	Cameron (Okla.)	297-301	598	+22
6	Northern Kentucky	299-307	606	+30
	Missouri-St. Louis	307-299	606	+30
8	Central Alabama CC	303-304	607	+31
	Tampa (Fla.)	307-300	607	+31
10	Tennessee Tech	306-304	610	+34
11	Central Missouri	303-309	612	+36
	Delta State (Miss.)	308-304	612	+36
13	Concord	303-313	616	+40
14	Wallace State CC	313-316	619	+43
15	William Carey	325-317	642	+66
16	New Orleans	330-314	644	+68
17	Martin Methodist	328-322	650	+74
Individual Leaderboard
Place	Player, Team	Round Scores	Total	To Par
1	Ricky Stimets, North Alabama	67-70	137	-7
2	Tyler Chandler, North Alabama	73-69	142	-2
3	Joe Migdal, Central Missouri	71-72	143	-1
4	Jamey Lester, Huntingdon	71-73	144	E
5	Derek Oland, Midwestern State	68-77	145	+1
	Thomas Mitchell, Huntingdon	75-70	145	+1
	Sam Smith, Midwestern State	71-74	145	+1
	Matt Stephens, North Alabama	73-72	145	+1
9	Taylor Noel, Tampa	74-72	146	+2
	Jake Greer, North Alabama	72-74	146	+2
	Paul Tighe, Wilmington	75-71	146	+2
Midwestern State Scorecard
3	Midwestern State	297-298	595	+19
5t	Derek Oland	68-77	145	+1
5t	Sam Smith	71-74	145	+1
51t	Raine Copeland	79-76	155	+11
55t	Jeremy LeGuen	85-71	156	+12
66t	Brett Perry	79-79	158	+14