May 30, 2002

COLUMBUS, Oh. - Virginia Tech fired a four-under-par 280 and are tied for 11th place after the second round of the 2002 NCAA Golf Championship on the OSU Scarlet Course in Columbus, Ohio.

The Hokies entered the second round in a tie for 21st place, but played the back nine 13 strokes better than on Wednesday en route to the 280. Tech made four birdies on the last two holes and the final three players each birdied the ninth hole, Tech's final hole of the evening. The Hokies had their round interrupted by a 46 minute rain delay while playing the back nine.

"There was a lot of heart out there today," Head Coach Jay Hardwick said. "With our backs against the wall and seeing the scores from the morning, we knew that an even-par round wouldn't make the cut, if there was one."

Junior Chris McKeel (Wilson, N.C.) is currently tied for 23rd place with a one-under-par 141. Senior Johnson Wagner (Garrison, N.Y.) is tied for 43rd place with a one-over-par 143, after shooting a four-under-par 67, the Hokies' best round of the tournament. Junior Brendon de Jonge (Harare, Zimbabwe) and sophomore Ryan Stinnett are tied for 75th place at 145 and senior Brian Krusoe (Northfield, Oh.) is tied for 106th at 147.

"I can't say enough about the way the kids have a knack for finishing a round," Hardwick said.. "Not only did we play a good round, but we put ourselves back in contention."

Clemson and Georgia Tech are tied for the lead at five-under-par 563. Toledo is third at 564 and North Carolina, TCU and Texas are tied for fourth at 566. The Hokies are tied for 11th at 571, eight strokes off the lead.

"I fully expected the good round from Johnson today. We talked last night about the ruling and we decided that would be the last time we would mention it. And he's the type of kid that has the attitude to not let a thing like that affect him.

The third round will be played on Friday morning. Tech will tee off at 8:03 a.m.

Team Results

Current Position	Team	Scoring			Rounds		Total Score
		To Par	Thru	Today	1	2
T1	Clemson	-5	F	-7	286	277	563
T1	Georgia Tech	-5	F	+2	277	286	563
3	Toledo	-4	F	-3	283	281	564
T4	North Carolina	-2	F	E	282	284	566
T4	TCU	-2	F	-1	283	283	566
T4	Texas	-2	F	-9	291	275	566
7	North Carolina State	-1	F	-3	286	281	567
8	Florida	+1	F	+2	283	286	569
T9	Tulsa	+2	F	+5	281	289	570
T9	Washington	+2	F	+7	279	291	570
T11	Purdue	+3	F	+3	284	287	571
T11	Virginia Tech	+3	F	-4	291	280	571
T13	Arizona	+4	F	+6	282	290	572
T13	Augusta State	+4	F	-1	289	283	572
T13	Pepperdine	+4	F	+4	284	288	572
T16	Colorado	+5	F	+9	280	293	573
T16	Illinois	+5	F	+12	277	296	573
T16	Minnesota	+5	F	+5	284	289	573
T19	Auburn	+7	F	+3	288	287	575
T19	Texas Tech	+7	F	+3	288	287	575
21	Fresno State	+8	F	+2	290	286	576
22	UAB	+11	F	+2	293	286	579
T23	Baylor	+13	F	+5	292	289	581
T23	UNLV	+13	F	+5	292	289	581
T25	Georgia	+14	F	+5	293	289	582
T25	Oklahoma State	+14	F	+9	289	293	582
T27	New Mexico	+16	F	+7	293	291	584
T27	Pacific	+16	F	+8	292	292	584
29	Georgia Southern	+19	F	+7	296	291	587
30	VCU	+22	F	+11	295	295	590