Ryan Rucinski is 16th Overall; Wilmington Golf in 12th After Two Rounds at Saint Leo Invitational

Copyright 2018; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Ryan Rucinski. Photo by Keara McCarthy. October 1, 2018 at CACC Championship, Round 2. Deerfield Golf Club.
Copyright 2018; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Ryan Rucinski. Photo by Keara McCarthy. October 1, 2018 at CACC Championship, Round 2. Deerfield Golf Club.

DALE CITY, Fla. - - Senior Ryan Rucinski shot a one-under 71 in the first round and is tied for 16th overall after two round, leading the Wilmington University golf at the Saint Leo Invitational on Monday, playing at the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club.

The Wildcats shot a 304-320 for a 624 (+48) on Monday, sitting in 12th overall after the first two rounds.

Ryan Rucinski got off to a blazing start in the first round, starting on the eighth hole. He sank three straight birdies (holes nine, 10, and 11) before coming back to two-under with a bogey on 12. But he made up for that with an eagle on the par five 12, getting to as low as four-under par on the round. Three straight pars ended the back nine for Rucinski, as he went to the first hole at three-under.

He birdied the par four sixth to get back to two-under, but a bogey on his final hole, the par three seventh, brought his first round score to a 71 (-1).

Through two rounds, Rucinski is tied for fourth overall in the tournament with a -5 score on the par five holes. He is also seventh overall in sinking eight birdies.

Enrique Valverde was tied for 17th overall after a first round 73 (+1) and is now tied for 41st overall with a combined score of 73-79 for a 152 (+8). Valderde is tied for 20th overall on par four scoring, averaging a score of 4.15 on all the par four holes through two rounds, totaling a +3 score.

Arvy Shongwe is 68th overall through two rounds, turning in cards of 80-83 for a 163 (+19). Jack Dixon is in 69th overall, shooting rounds of 80-86 for a 166 (+22). Braden McKay is the final Wildcat that participated on Monday, sitting in 71st overall with a 90-83 for a 173 (+29).

Keiser University leads the tournament with a two-round score of 568 (-8) while Nova Southeastern, ranked 16th in the country, is second with a 569 (-7).

Nova Southeastern's Juan Jose Guerra, ranked 17th in the country, is atop the individual leaderboard through two rounds, shooting a 71-64 for a 135 (-9). Saint Leo's Alberto Castagnara, ranked 12th overall, is in second place with rounds of 70-66 for a 136 (-8).

The tournament concludes on Tuesday with the third round and a split tee send-off.