Thursday, May 31, 2001

Johnson City, Tenn. -- All five East Tennessee State University men's golfers either improved their first round score or shot the same as the team is in seventh place following the second round of the NCAA Men's Golf Championships from the Duke University Golf Course in Durham, N.C. The 6th ranked Bucs shot 1-over par as a team Thursday, placing them at 5-over for the tournament (293-289=582), 13 shots behind the leaders, the University of Arizona. Senior All-American Chris Wisler continued to pace Bucs in their second round of play. The fifth-ranked Wisler shot a 3-under par 69 on Thursday and is currently in seventh place (71-69=140), seven shots back of individual leader Ricky Barnes of Arizona. Sophomore James Johnson improved one stroke from his first round performance, firing a second round 72 to finish the day at even-par. Johnson is currently in a tie for 28th at 1-over par (73-72=145). Fellow sophomore Thomas Lee shot his second consecutive 74 and is in a tie for 53rd at 4-over par (74-74=148). Sophomore Adam Riddering, improved his first round score by two strokes, finishing the day with a 2-over par 74. He is in a tie for 81st at 6-over par (76-74=150). Also locked in the tie for 81st is Buccaneer senior Pat Beste, who shot his second-straight 3-over par 75 (75-75=150). The field in the NCAA Championship will now shrink to the top-15 teams that have made the cut. The first-seeded Buccaneers will continue competition as they tee off at 7:30 a.m. Friday morning in the third round of the NCAA Men's Golf Championships from Duke University Golf Course in Durham, N.C. The event can be followed live, hole-by-hole on the internet at http://live.golfstat.com. Top-5 Team Results 1. #9 Arizona 280-289=569 -7 2. #10 Florida 296-278=574 -2 3. #15 Wake Forest 294-282=576 E T4. #1 Georgia 296-284=580 +4 T4. #11 Augusta State 292-288=580 +4 7. #6 East Tennessee State 293-289=582 +5 Individual Top-5 and ETSU Finishers 1. Ricky Barnes, Arizona 68-65=133 -11 T2. Jamie Elson, Augusta State 73-65=138 -6 T2. Troy McKinley, Pacific 70-68=138 -6 T2. Kris Mikkelsen, Georgia Tech 66-72=138 -6 T2. Chez Reavie, Arizona State 71-67=138 -6 7. Chris Wisler, ETSU 71-69=140 -4 T28. James Johnson, ETSU 73-72=145 +1 T53. Thomas Lee, ETSU 74-74=148 +4 T81. Pat Beste, ETSU 75-75=150 +6 T81. Adam Riddering, ETSU 76-74=150 +6