IUP Surges into the Lead after the Second Round of the NCAA East Region Tournament



Gavin Smith shot a 72 Tuesday to help IUP take the second round lead at the NCAA East Regional

May 6, 2008

Complete Results

IUP went from four shots behind after the first round to four strokes ahead following the second round of the NCAA Division II East Regional tournament at the Back Creek Golf Course in Middletown, Del.

IUP rode the play of Nic Milito and Gavin Smith to the lead with 18 holes separating the Crimson Hawks from a trip to nationals. Milito finished the second round tied for the individual lead with Smith just one shot back.

IUP, seeking its first region title since 2005, played like the No. 1 seed in the tournament by firing a team score of 292, a 15-shot improvement from the first round and seven better than Fairmont State's second round score.

The Crimson Hawks, making their 12th straight appearance in the NCAA tournament, are four ahead of the Falcons while West Liberty State, the first round leader, slid to third, nine shots off the pace.

Milito and Smith both shot one-over par scores of 72, with Milito moving into a tie for the individual lead with Jared Schmader of Clarion at four-over par 146. Smith is tied for third with Fairmont State's Justin Caroli at 147.

Ryan Kennedy had a 73 Tuesday and stands at 152 for the tournament, good for a tie for 12th. Rounding out the IUP competitors are Cory Stelick (154, tied for 18th) and Leo Acklin (156, 23rd).

While the top three teams are separated by only nine shots, there is a wider gap going down to fourth place Clarion, which is 26 shots behind IUP. The Golden Eagles are followed by Millersville (629), Charleston (634), Ohio Valley (636) and Concord (643).

The 54-hole event concludes Wednesday. The regional champion advances to the national tournament May 14-17 in Houston.