DADE CITY, Fla. - - Senior Joey Russo shot a team best 71 in the second round of the Saint Leo Invitational on Monday afternoon, leading the team to sit in eight place after two rounds at the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club.
The Wildcats improved round to round by 20 strokes, jumping up three spots on the leaderboard. They finished with a 307-287 for a 594 (+18) after two rounds on Monday.
After shooting a 77 in the first round, Russo had the biggest drop in score in the second round for the Wildcats, posting a 71 for a two round score of 148 (+4). Russo is in a tie for 29th with teammate Sergio Ronchel. Ronchel posed rounds of 76-72 for his 148 (+4).
Enrique Valverde Zach Moore are one stroke off from Russo and Ronchel, posting like scores of 77 and 72 for a 149 and in a tie for 34th, rounding out the team scoring for the Wildcats.
Ryan Rucinski improved his game by five strokes in the second round, shooting scores of 80-75 for a 155 to sit in a tie for 56th overall. He is tied with Braden McKay who was playing as an individual, shooting rounds of 78-77 for his 155.
Nationally third ranked Nova Southeastern leads the group of 12 teams, shooting a 276-277 for a 553 (-23). Host and eighth ranked Saint Leo in second place with rounds of 284-281 for a 265 (-11). Nationally ranked No. 20 Lee University rounds out the top three teams with rounds of 286-282 for a 568, being the final team under par at -8.
Nova Southeastern's and nationally ranked No. 4 Juan Jose Guerra leads the field by holding an outstanding two round score of -12. He shot back-to-back rounds of 66 for a 132 to lead by four strokes. Lander University and nationally ranked No. 23 Conor Richards is in second play with a 66-70 for a 136 (-8).
The Wildcats will tee off the third round from the 10th hole, playing with Georgia College and Nebraska-Kearney. The Wildcats will begin teeing off at 8:40 a.m. on Tuesday morning.