March 22, 2002

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Playing through bad weather, Virginia Tech shot an opening round 299 and is tied for sixth place in the Furman Intercollegiate at the 6,800 yard, par-72 Furman University Golf Club in Greenville, S.C.

Junior Brendon de Jonge (Harare, Zimbabwe) is tied for fifth place after shooting an opening round one-under-par 71. Senior Brian Krusoe (Northfield, Ohio) is tied for 16th place, after shooting a two-over-par 74. Senior Johnson Wagner (Garrison, N.Y.) and junior Chris McKeel (Wilson, N.C.) are tied for 48th, at five-over-par 77. Sophomore Ryan Stinnett (Amherst, Va.) is tied for 110th at 82. Sophomore Matt Hollerbach (Tulsa, Okla.), competing in the event as an individual, shot a first round 78 and is tied for 68th place.

The Hokies were greeted by 32 degree temperatures and a 15 degree wind chill factor for their 8 a.m. tee time. De Jonge's 71 was the only sub-par round among the 12 schools from the morning set of tee times.

Host Furman leads the event, shooting a three-over-par 291. East Carolina is second at 293, followed by Coastal Carolina and Wofford, tied at 296. Western Carolina is fifth, at 298 and Tech and Chattanooga are tied for sixth at 299. Ohio State (300), UNC Wilmington (305 and Charleston Southern (307), round out the top 10.

The second round of the tournament will begin Saturday morning at 8 a.m., unless a frost delay forces an 11:30 a.m. shotgun start. Tech, the event's defending champion, is scheduled for an afternoon tee time on Saturday. The final round will be played on Sunday morning.

TEAM RESULTS
1.	Furman				291
2.	East Carolina			293
3.	Coastal Carolina		296
	Wofford				296
5.	Western Carolina		298	
6.	VIRGINIA TECH		299
	Chattanooga			299
8.	Ohio State			300
9.	UNC Wilmington		305
10.	Charleston Southern		307
11.	UNC Greensboro		308
	Memphis			308
13.	Texas-Pan American		309
	Virginia				309
	Francis Marion			309
	Marshall			309
17.	Appalachian State		310
	Richmond			310
19.	Davidson			311
20.	Charlotte			313
21.	Old Dominion			317
	Furman "B"			317
23.	Winthrop			321
24.	The Citadel			323