DANIELS, W.Va. - - The Wilmington University golf team shot its best round of the week in the third round of the NCAA Division II Atlantic/East Super Regional Tournament, shooting a 296 on Wednesday to finish the tournament with a 301-311-296 for a 908 (+44) and in 11th place.
Ryan Rucinski led the Wildcats with a second place finish, posting another round below par with a 71 (-1). He shot a 69-73-71 for a 213 (-3) and finished as one of the two individuals not associated with the top three teams to advance to the NCAA Division II National Tournament starting on Monday, May 21.
On Wednesday, Rucinski sank a birdie putt on nine to make the turn at even par. After a bogey on 11, Rucinski continued to dominate the par fives with another birdie on 12, getting back to even on the day. After four pars, Rucinski hit another birdie putt, this time on the par three 17th. His round ended with a par on 18, closing out his 71.
Freshman Enrique Valverde hit 14 pars on Wednesday, hitting a birdie on the par three 13th to get back to even par on the day. He finished the day with five straight pars to close out his round with a 72 (E). The freshman shot a 75-81-72 in his first Super Regionals, finishing in a tie for 45th with a 228 (+12).
Senior Zac Moore was as low as two under par through 13 holes, but a rough stretch to close out his round saw him finish with a 76 (+4). Moore birdied the par three seventh, making the turn at one under with eight other pars. Another birdie on the par four 10th put the senior at two under par with three more birdies to follow. But a double bogey on 14 brought him back to even par before back-to-back double bogeys on 16 and 17 put Moore at four over par for the round. Moore finished the tournament in a tie for 86th with an 80-82-76 for a 238 (+22).
Sophomore Matthew Kettleson rounded out the Wildcats' scoring on Wednesday, posting a 77 (+5) with two birdies and seven bogeys. He birdied the par five second to get back to even and birdied the par four sixth to again get back to even par. But seven pars and five bogeys rounded out Kettleson's round, ending with back-to-back bogeys on 17 and 18. Kettleson finished the tournament with a 233 (+17), shooting rounds of 79-77-77 to finished tied for 68th overall.
Senior Joey Russo rounded out the Wildcats on the course on Wednesday, sinking two birdie putts on the back nine but was plagued by eight bogeys on the day. He shot a 78 (+6) on Wednesday, finishing in a tie for 81st overall at the Super Regionals. Russo closed out his career with a 78-80-78 for a 236 (+20) and in a tie for 81st overall.
Roberts Wesleyan moved up five spots on Wednesday to win the Super Regional Championship, shooting a 289 on Wednesday for the one stroke victory. Franklin Pierce placed second while Charleston finished third to advance to the NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament.
Concordia's freshman Minwoo Park shot a 68 (-4) on Wednesday to stay in first place and beat out Rucinski for Super Regional medalist honors. Park finished with a 207 (-9), six strokes ahead of Rucinski. Minwoo Park and Ryan Rucinski advance to the National Tournament as individuals.
The NCAA Division II National Tournament will be held at The Shoals Golf Club in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. The three-day, three-round tournament will start on Monday, May 21.
