The Kent State men’s golf team will compete at the Mid-American Conference Championships this weekend, where it hopes to defend its 2005 title at Brickyard Crossing in Indianapolis.

After the first day of play yesterday, the Flashes are leading with a team score of 2-under par 286. Northern Illinois is close behind at even par.

The team has claimed 15 league titles, 11 of which come since 1992, including four in the past six years.

Another constant for this year’s tournament is the return of 2005 individual co-medalists senior Ryan Yip and sophomore Tommy Wiegand.

“Our expectation as a program is to play for a championship,” Kent State coach Herb Page said in an online press release. “Four of our five players played pivotal roles last year in our winning the title. However, last year means nothing. Last week means nothing. We need to go out there this week and execute.”

At the end of the first round, Yip is tied for the No. 28 spot. Wiegand finished the day tied for 17th.

Kent State grabbed last season’s crown with a score of 33-under 1,119, which was 19 strokes over second-place Eastern Michigan. Kent State holds the No. 32 spot in the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index.

The Flashes’ lineup includes Yip, Wiegand, junior Marc Bourgeois, sophomore Tom Ballinger and sophomore Jarrod Page.

“Individually, Yip and Weigand were co-medialists last year and have been our leaders all season,” Page said. “The key for us will be consistent play from Bourgeois, Ballinger and (Jarrod). We have a very experienced lineup, and all five have the ability to shoot low. However, inconsistency has hurt us at times this year. We just need to go out there and play our game and play with a lot more consistency this week.”

Contact sports editor Kali Price at [email protected] and assistant sports editor Amanda Vasil at [email protected].