TCU, Killeen Maintain One-Shot Leads at NIT
3/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
March 28, 2005
TUCSON, Ariz. - The TCU Horned Frogs and senior J.J. Killeen finished the second round of the National Invitational Tournament in the same positions as they began the day, as both held onto one-stroke leads at the 54-hole event. TCU logged a 5-under-par 283 on Monday led by Killeen's 3-under 69.
The Frogs, currently rated 12th nationally according to the GCAA/Bridgestone Coaches Poll, are eyeing their first tournament victory since the team claimed the 2004 Conference USA Championships last April. Six other schools are within seven strokes of TCU's two-round total of 559 (-17). Killeen, who is looking for his first collegiate victory, owns a 36-hole sum of 135 (-9).
Killeen has torched the par-5s at the OMNI Tucson National Course (Par 72, 7,094 yards) to the tune of 7-under over the two days. In his last 11 rounds this spring, the Lubbock, Texas product has posted seven rounds of 70 or better. His career-best tournament finish is sixth place achieved on two occasions. The last TCU golfer to win medalist honors was Adam Meyer at last year's C-USA Championships.
Fellow senior David Schultz (Fargo, N.D.) is tied for ninth place after a 73 in the second round. He entered the 18th hole with a 2-under-par score, but suffered a triple-bogey seven to end the day. Schultz owns a two-round total of 140 (-4), and is aiming for his second top-10 finish this year and the 10th of his career.
Drew Stoltz moved up eight spots to tie Schultz for ninth place after his second consecutive round of 70. He played the final 11 holes at minus-3. The sophomore from Fort Collins, Colo. is seeking his first career top-20 placement. His previous best is a 29th-place finish at the Hall of Fame Invitational just last week.
Junior Colby Beckstrom (North Muskegon, Mich.) had his second straight 1-over score of 73 to hold down a share of 45th place at 146. True freshman James Sacheck moved up 14 spots on Monday after a 71 (-1) in round two. He now has a 36-hole score of 147 (+3), which is good for a 53rd-place showing among the 75 participants.
Of the tournament's 14 teams, eight are rated in the nation's top 25 according to the GCAA/Bridgestone Coaches Poll. The ranked teams in the field included: No. 4 New Mexico, No. 5 UNLV, No. 7 Arizona State, No. 10 Southern California, No. 12 TCU, No. 18 Texas, No. 22 Minnesota and No. 23 Arizona.
The third and final round is set to start at 7 a.m. (MT) on Tuesday, while TCU will tee off beginning at 8:12 a.m. Live scoring is available throughout the round at www.golfstat.com.
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Team Scores
1. TCU 276-283=559 (-17); 2. Arkansas 282-278=560 (-16); T-3. Arizona 281-281=562 (-14); T-3. Texas 286-276=562 (-14); 5. Arizona (B) 280-283=563 (-13); 6. UNLV 277-287=564 (-12); 7. New Mexico 280-286=566 (-10); 8. Pepperdine 286-285=571 (-5); 9. Arizona State 280-292=572 (-4); 10. Southern California 287-286=573 (-3); 11. Tulsa 286-289=575 (-1); 12. Minnesota 289-287=576 (E); 13. Washington 290-291=581 (+5); 14. Kent State 285-298=583 (+7).
TCU Individuals
1. J. J. Killeen 66-69=135 (-9); T-9. David Schultz 67-73=140 (-4); T-9. Drew Stoltz 70-70=140 (-4); T-45. Colby Beckstrom 73-73=146 (+2); T-53. James Sacheck 76-71=147 (+3).
Players Mentioned
