May 18, 2001
A&M freshmen Duke Butler and Stephen Reed both shot under par on the day to place the Aggies in a tie for fourth place at 291-298=589 (+13) with the University of Minnesota out of a 27-team field at the 2001 NCAA Central Regional at Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater, Okla., Friday.
"The intensity of our freshmen was just incredible," said head coach Bob Ellis. "I can't say enough about their rounds today. The other guys made mistakes but hung in there with a lot of courage to keep us in it."
Reed leads all Aggies with a two-round total of 74-71=145 (+1) and is tied for 13th. Butler is tied for 32nd with a 78-70=148 (+4). Senior Casey Cronin [71-79=150 (+6)] and sophomore Dwayne Morley [72-78=150 (+6)] are tied for 53rd followed by junior Josh McCoy who posted 74-79=153=153 and is tied for 86th.
This is Stephen Reed and Duke Butler's first NCAA Regional as they are both true freshmen.
No. 30-ranked College of Charleston moved into the lead at 291-287=578 (+2) followed by No. 16-ranked Oklahoma [293-291=584 (+8)] and Kent State [289-296=585 (+9)]. Texas A&M [291-298=589 (+13)] and No.-35 ranked Minnesota [292-297=589 (+13)] are tied for fourth.
Only the top 10 teams and two individuals not on those teams will advance to the NCAA Championships at the conclusion of each regional. The crucial tenth place spot score after two rounds of the 2001 NCAA Central Regional is 595, only six strokes back from the Aggies.
Martin Flores of Oklahoma is the individual leader after day two with rounds of 70-70=140 (-4). Jon Mills [67-74=141 (-3)] and Sean Howell [73-68=141 (-3)] of Kent State and John Klauk of Texas [68-73=141 (-3)] are all tied for third.
The final round of the men's 2001 NCAA Central Regional will begin at 7:30 a.m., with the Aggies teeing off at 7:30 a.m. Complete results will be posted at www.aggieathletics.com upon the conclusion of the regional.