Tuesday, March 11, 2003

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 11, 2003) - Senior James Johnson (Barbados) and sophomore Jeremy Hobson (Thonotosassa, Fla.) both tied for 13th to lead ETSU to a sixth place finish in the Seminole Intercollegiate, Tuesday from Golden Eagle Country Club in Tallahassee, Fla.

As a team, the Bucs (289-295-285=869) shot a 285 in the final round, their best round of the tournament and the second-best round of the day. No. 11 North Carolina was the team champion in the event, shooting a three-round 869. With the Buccaneers' great final round, they distanced themselves from No. 13 Northwestern, who finished six strokes behind the Bucs.

ETSU had three individuals finish in the top-20, led by Johnson and Hobson. Johnson had the best round of the day for the Buccaneers, firing a 3-under-par 69 to finish at even-par (75-72-69=216) for the tournament. Hobson carded a 2-under-par 70 on Tuesday to also end the tournament at even-par (72-74-70=216).

Sophomore Chase Baldwin (Brandon, Fla.), who carded a 69 in Monday's first round, finished up the tournament with a final-round 72 on Tuesday. Baldwin finished the day in a toe for 17th at 1-over-par (69-76-72=217).

Senior Adam Riddering (Maple Grove, Minn.) was the next Buccaneer finisher, tying for 32nd (73-74-74=221) after shooting his second-consecutive 2-over-par 74 in the final round of play. Freshman Derek McNamara (Galway, Ireland) finished two strokes behind Riddering, tying for 52nd (76-75-74=225) after shooting his best round of the tournament on Tuesday.

The Buccaneers return to action on Mar. 15-16 from the Birkdale Collegiate Classic from Charlotte, N.C.