After the first day of the three-round Firestone Invitational, the Eastern Michigan men’s golf team held a 1-shot lead over St. Mary’s (Calif.).

After the final round Tuesday, however, St. Mary’s had rallied to win the tournament by a stroke. St. Mary’s shot 869 (291-286-292) and EMU 870 (283-293-294) at the par-72 Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

Marty Jeppesen was the top individual for EMU. He placed second with a 212 (69-71-72). Western Carolina’s Ricky Stout won medalist honors with a 211 (69-70-72), but his team finished last out of 11.

Women’s golf 2nd
The EMU women’s golf team finished second at the Duramed MAC Preview, which was Monday and Tuesday. It shot 935 (311-319-305), and Ball State won with a 933 (313-305-315).

Emily Podzielinski shot the lowest for EMU and placed seventh with a 231 (77-79-75) at the par-72 Hawthorns Golf and Country Club in Fishers, Ind. Bradley’s Breanne Neufeld won with a 223 (75-75-73).

Vollmar earns accolade
EMU men’s cross country runner Curtis Vollmar was awarded Mid-American Conference runner or the week on Tuesday.

The senior placed fifth in the Michigan Intercollegiate on Oct. 9 in Grand Rapids. He finished the 8,000 meter race in 25:19.

It’s the second time Vollmar has won the award this season, and he’s finished in the top five in each of his team’s races.

Swimming to open season
EMU men’s and women’s swim teams open their seasons at 1 p.m. Friday in the Green and White Meet at Jones Natatorium. It’s an intra-squad competition.