KETTERING, Ohio (October 18, 2021) – Graduate student Devin Johnson finds himself just a shot off the top of the individual leaderboard following a strong first day of play for the Loyola University Chicago men's golf team at the Flyer Invitational in Kettering, Ohio.
 
The Ramblers wrapped up the opening 36 holes of action at the NCR Country Club (par 71, 7,004 yards) with a two-round tally of 586 (288-298) that has them in fourth place, just two shots back of Youngstown State (292-292=584) and Ball State (290-294=584), who are tied for second.
 
Wright State (287-284=571) sits atop the team leaderboard, while Dayton's Blake Solomon (71-69=140) holds the individual lead.
 
Johnson fired the low 18-hole effort by a Rambler during today's opening round, amassing a team-high four birdies en route to a two-under-par 69.  The Geneva, Ill. native closed his day with a one-over-par 72 that has him as part of a tie for second place at 141 (69-72), just a stroke off the pace being set by Solomon.
 
Junior Timmy Crawford is tied for 12^th place, only two shots out of a spot in the top 10, following a three-over-par 146 (72-74) that was highlighted by a first-round one-over-par 72. 
 
The junior pairing of Zach Walsh and Dylan Ellis are within a stroke of one another entering Tuesday's final round.  Walsh fired back-to-back rounds of 75 to climb into a tie for 28^th at 150 (75-75), while Ellis resides tied for 34^th with a 151 (72-79) that included a one-over-par 72 during first-round play.  Graduate student Ryan Magee turned in a 155 (78-77) to close the day as part of a tie for 49^th place.
 
Competing as an individual, graduate student Nick Welden is in 68^th after posting a 166 (81-85).
 
Action in the final round of the Flyer Invitational opens with an 8 a.m. (CT) shotgun start on Tuesday morning.