CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ? Led by senior Joel Sjoholm's two-under par 69, the 41st-ranked Georgia State University men's golf team carded a first-round team score of 287 (+3) amid nonstop rain at the 2008 NCAA East Regional to sit tied for 20th at Council Fire Golf Club in Chattanooga, Tenn. on Thursday.

The Panthers battled persistent rain and building wind en route to their 287, as Sjoholm was the Panthers' only competitor under par and he currently sits tied for 21st after one round.

“Our round started out good, but as the weather picked up we hit a rough patch. It was a grind after that.” said Georgia State head coach Matt Clark. “We're hoping for better conditions tomorrow and we're going to see if we can make a charge.”

Sjoholm, the nation's fifth-ranked player and top-rated player in the East Regional field, carded five birdies in his round and sits four strokes off the six-under par lead held by two players.

“It was tough the whole day because of the weather,” said Sjoholm, the 2008 Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year and conference champion. “The wind picked up on the back nine and I had to fight out there. Hopefully I can go low tomorrow, the team can get going and we'll get back in it.”

In addition to Sjoholm's solid performance, freshman Alex Castro posted a one-over par 72, his fourth-lowest round of the season, to finish tied for 60th, while sophomores Maurice Jordan and 84th-ranked Tom Sherread carded 73s (+2) to tie for 78th.

“It was a tough round, but I chipped and putted like a legend on the front nine,” said the excitable Sherreard. “But, I guess I used my allowance up because I struggled with the putter on the back nine.”

Rounding out State's five-man lineup, freshman Brent Paul shot a 77 (+6) to finish tied for 130th among the 141-player, 27-team field on the par-71, 6,961-yard layout.

The Panthers will look to move towards the top 10 tomorrow in the second round of the NCAA East Regional when Georgia State tees off at 8:34 a.m. Following Saturday's third and final round, the top-10 teams in the field and top-two individuals not affiliated with an advancing team move on to compete in the NCAA Championship.

Updates will be posted to GeorgiaStateSports.com following second-round action and live scoring can e found at GolfStat.com.

Georgia State Individual Scores:
T21st ? Joel Sjoholm ? 69, -2
T60th ? Alex Castro ? 72, +1
T78th ? Maurice Jordan ? 73, +2
T78th ? Tom Sherreard ? 73, +2
T130th ? Brent Paul ? 77, +6

Team Scores: