ESTERO, Fla. (2/12/16) – Aracelly Jimenez Rios ended the FGCU Eagle Invitational's opening round Friday tied for first place, leading the Arkansas State women's golf team to a sixth-place tie through the 54-hole tournament's first day of action at the Stoneybrook Golf Club.

The Red Wolves, competing in their first spring tournament this season, posted a first-round 310 that left them tied with Southern Illinois and ahead of eight teams entering tomorrow's second round. A-State is currently within five strokes of fourth-place Xavier and nine strokes behind first-place Mercer.

Jimenez Rios carded a season-best 70 to put her in a two-way tie atop the individual leaderboard with Mercer's Payton Schanen. The A-State freshman and 2015 Lady Red Wolves Classic winner was joined among the top five leaders by sophomore teammate Sarah Childers , who posted a career-best 72 to conclude the day tied for third place.

Freshman Beth Ann Compton narrowly missed a top-25 showing for the Red Wolves, finishing tied for 26th place after shooting a 78. Participating as an individual, Kirsten Garner recorded an 84 to place her tied for 69th. Also competing for Arkansas State, junior Maci Brooks stands 82nd with a 90 and sophomore Olivia Loiacano is in 83rd place with a 92.

The FGCU Eagle Invitational will resume Saturday morning with the second 18 holes and conclude Sunday with a third-and-final round.