Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo of Ryan Rucinski.
CROFTON, Md. - - A cold and blustery day on the course could not hold back the Wilmington University golf team as they charged out to a 26 stroke lead after two rounds at the Coach Carpenter Invitational, shooting a 295-306 on Monday afternoon at the Crofton Country Club.
The Wildcats' 601 (+25) is 26 strokes better than nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas, as the Spartans finished with a 627 after the first day. Concordia rounds out the top three teams with a 628.
Wilmington holds the top four spots on the individual leaderboard as well, with three of the scores going towards the team score as well as one individual. Freshman Ryan Rucinski's steady 74-74, 148 (+4) leads the field of 77 golfers.
Rucinski is a stroke ahead of teammate Miguel Siercke, as he shot the day's low of 72 in the first round before coming back with a 77 in the second round to sit at +5. Joey Russo, playing as an individual, is in third place overall with a 76-75, 150 (+6). Sam Clark rounds out the top four golfers for the Wildcats with a 74-79, 153 (+9) after the first two rounds.
Junior Troy Miller capped the Wildcats scoring for the day with a 76 in the second round, firing a 79-76, 155 (+11) for the day. Miller is tied for 10th overall after the first two rounds. Junior Freddy Braun shot a 75 in the opening round, but finished with an 82 in round two for a 157 (+13) for the day. Braun is tied for 19th overall.
Senior Jordan Lamb, playing as an individual, concluded the Wildcats on the course on Monday, shooting a 78-84 for a 162 (+18). He is in a tie for 33rd overall going into the final round.
Siercke sank eight birdies on the day to lead the field. Rucinksi finished with six birdies while Clark, Russo, and Lamb each had five birdies. Both Siercke and Clark led the way in finishing at two-under on the day on the Par 5 holes.
The third and final round of the tournament will conclude on Tuesday in Crofton, Md.