March 1, 2008

MILWAUKEE - Defending tournament champion Mike Van Sickle moved into a tie for second place Saturday and helped Marquette University jump a few spots in the team standings at the Ron Smith/USF Invitational in Dade City, Fla. The Golden Eagles leaped from ninth place to a fourth-place tie following today's second round action at the par-72, 7,084-yard Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club.

Van Sickle, who shot even-par Friday, carded a five-under 67 and his two-round total of 139 is just two strokes behind individual leader Julian Colmenares (seven-under 137) of Jacksonville State. The Marquette junior birdied four different holes than the four he birdied yesterday, in addition to an eagle on the par-5 hole 13.

Michael Bielawski also carded four birds and shaved five strokes off of Friday's opening round by shooting an even-par. Fellow senior Ted Gray fired a 73 and remains a single stroke ahead of Bielawski for the tournament with a two-round total of 148.

Marquette is knotted with Columbus State as both schools share a team total of 585. Middle Tennessee State now holds a comfortable lead at 567, followed by Southeastern Louisiana (577) and Jacksonville State (583).

Ron Smith/USF Invitational
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Dade City, Fla.
Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club
Par 72 / 7,084 yards

MU Individuals
T2) Mike Van Sickle 139 (72-67)
T32) Ted Gray 148 (75-73)
T41) Michael Bielawski 149 (77-72)
T49) Kelly Kretz 150 (74-76)

Team Scores
1) Middle Tennessee State 567 (287-28)
2) Southeastern Louisiana 577 (293-284)
3) Jacksonville State 583 (299-284)
T4) Marquette 585 (297-288)
T4) Columbus State 585 (301-284)
T6) VCU 587 (291-296)
T6) USF 587 (294-293)
T8) Florida Southern 588 (296-292)
T8) DePaul 588 (296-292)
T8) Troy 588 (303-285)
11) Texas San-Antonio 589 (298-291)
12) Austin Peay State 592 (303-289)
13) Eastern Michigan 593 (301-292)
T14) Rhode Island 597 (304-293)
T14) Arkansas State 597 (300-297)
16) Missouri 598 (301-297)
17) Xavier 601 (302-299)
18) Nebraska 607 (305-302)