No. 12/14 Kent State Moves Up At U.S. Collegiate
Golden Flashes second round 288 moves team into a tie for eighth
ALPHARETTA, Ga. — No. 12/14 Kent State made a move into eighth place with a second round even-par 288 at the 6th United States Collegiate Championship on Monday. Playing the par 72 The Golf Club of Georgia, the Golden Flashes improved their first round score by seven strokes and sit tied with No. 27 Duke at seven over 583 (295-288).
Sophomore Kyle Kmiecik (Avon, Ohio) led the seven shot improvement by Kent State on Monday. The lone non-counter from the first round, Kmiecik birdied Nos 1, 9, 10 and 15 before ending the round with two straight bogeys for a 2-under 70. His two round total of 148 (78-70) leaves him tied for 46th heading into Tuesday's final round.
Senior Mackenzie Hughes (Dundas, Ontario), added and even par 72 while the Golden Flashes also had 1-over 73 counters from sophomores Taylor Pendrith (Richmond Hill, Ontario) and Corey Conners (Listowel, Ontario).
The lone non-counter for Kent State on Monday was junior Kevin Miller (Dover, Ohio). Miller, who shot a two-over 74, is still the top individual for the Golden Flashes holding onto a tie for 16th with a one-under 143 (69-74).
Hughes, who birdied No. 1 for the second straight day and also added a birdie on No. 12 to go against bogeys on Nos. 11 and 17, is tied for 46th with a 149 (77-72). Pendrith, who is tied for 26th, (72-73=145) had four birdies (1, 11, 15, 18), but they were off set by three bogeys and a double bogey on No. 9. Conners (T51) finished his round of 73 by carding birdies on Nos. 1 and 9 with bogeys coming on Nos. 6, 10 and 14.
Two shots off the lead at the start of the day, host No. 12 Georgia Tech (566) had a 282 on Monday and gained a three -shot lead over No. 24 UCLA (569). No. Washington, USC and No. 4 Auburd are all tied for tied at 570 followed by No. 7 Florida State (578) and No. 19 Clemson (580).
The 54-hole tournament, which debuted in 2006, concludes Tuesday on The Golf Club of Georgia's Lakeside Course. Final-round tee times begin Tuesday at 9 a.m. Tournament information can be found at www.TheUSCC.org or www.golfstat.com.
Kent State begins its final round tee times at 10:40 a.m.. The Golden Flashes will be paired with No. 19 Clemson and No. 27 Duke.
Follow the team on Twitter @KentStGolf.
Kent State R1 - R2 = Total
T16 Kevin Miller (3) 69 - 74 = 143
T26 Taylor Pendrith (2) 72 - 73 = 145
T41 Kyle Kmiecik (4) 78 - 70 = 148
T46 Mackenzie Hughes (1) 77 - 72 = 149
T51 Corey Conners (5) 77 - 73 = 150
Rk* team R1 - R2 = Total
1 12 Georgia Tech 284 282 566 -10
2 24 UCLA 288 281 569 -7
T3 6 Washington 288 282 570 -6
T3 USC 282 288 570 -6
T3 4 Auburn 282 288 570 -6
6 7 Florida State 286 292 578 +2
7 19 Clemson 294 286 580 +4
T8 14 Kent State 295 288 583 +7
T8 27 Duke 283 300 583 +7
10 29 Iowa 293 291 584 +8
11 26 Texas A&M 300 290 590 +14
12 38 Wake Forest 295 298 593 +17
13 12 Virginia 297 303 600 +24
14 East Tenn. St. 304 304 608 +32
*ranking by golfstat.com
