March 16, 2002
Citrus Springs, Fla. – The Notre Dame men’s golf team is in 17th place after the first two rounds at the 54-hole El Diablo Invitational in Citrus Springs, Fla. The Irish shot a two-round total of 610 (304-306) on Saturday afternoon, putting them 29 strokes behind the first-place score of 581 shot by tournament co-leaders Marshall University (291-290), which is hosting the tournament, and the University of West Florida (296-285).
Marshall and West Florida have a two-stroke lead over third-place Xavier University’s seven-over par 583 (291-292). William & Mary is in fourth place after shooting rounds of 290 and 297 (587). Indiana rounds out the top five after the first two rounds of play with a 588 (292-296).
Individually, senior Steve Ratay (Arlington Heights, Ill.) is pacing the Irish and is tied for second place in the 100-man field. Ratay’s rounds of 73 and four-under par 68 places him one stroke behind tournament leader Ty Harris of West Florida (72-68-140). Ratay is tied in second with William & Mary’s Justin Ragognetti who matched Ratay’s rounds of 73 and 68. Ratay and Ragognetti have a one-stroke lead over two players tied in fourth place, Brian Perry of Marshall (70-72-142) and Mark Anderson of the University of Louisville (73-69-142).
Following Ratay for the Irish is senior Chris Whitten (Rockford, Mich.) who is tied for 62nd with a 153 (79-74). K.C. Wiseman (Fr., South Bend, Ind.) is third for Notre Dame and is tied in 75th place after shooting rounds of 73 and 83 for a total of 156. Freshman Steve Colnitis (Baldwin, Md.) is tied for 90th after 36 holes with a 160 (79-81) and Kevin Ricci (Sr., Winter Park, Fla.) shot a pair of 86’s for a total of 172.
The Notre Dame men’s golf team returns to action Sunday morning when they play the final round of the tournament.
TEAM RESULTS (36 holes): t1. Marshall University 291-290-581, University of West Florida 296-285-581, 3. Xavier University 291-292-583, 4. College of William & Mary 290-297-587, 5. Indiana University 292-296-588, 6. University of Louisville 299-290-589, 7. Wichita State University 296-294-590, 8. Elon University 298-293-591, 9. Eastern Kentucky University 293-303-596, t10. Ball State University 300-298-598, Methodist College 300-298-598, University of Michigan 298-300, 13. Penn State University 303-297-600, 14. University of Rhode Island 293-308-601, 15. Iowa State University 298-307-605, 16. Kent State 299-309-608, 17. University of Notre Dame 304-306-610, 18. Marquette University 313-312-625, 19. University of Cincinnati 311-316-627, 20. Northern Illinois University 319-311-630.
TOP 10 INDIVIDUALS (of 100): 1. Ty Harris (West Florida) 72-68-140, t2. Steve Ratay (Notre Dame) 73-68-141, Justin Ragognetti (William & Mary) 73-68-141, t4. Brian Perry (Marshall) 70-72-142, Mark Anderson (Louisville) 73-69-142, 6. Burke Spensky (Marshall) 73-70-143, t7. Aaron Williams (Marshall) 71-73-144, Joe Christianson (West Florida) 71-73-144, Miles Maillet (Xavier) 74-70-144, Ryan Loucks (Elon) 75-69-144.
NOTRE DAME PLAYERS (of 100): t2. Steve Ratay 73-68-141, t62. Chris Whitten 79-74-153, t75. K.C. Wiseman 73-83-156, t90. Steve Colnitis 79-81-160, 100. Kevin Ricci 86-86-172.
— ND —