April 12, 2008
Columbus, Ohio, April 12, 2008 - Sophomore T.J. Howe (Osceola, Pa.) fired rounds of 73 and 75 to stand tied for third at 4-over par and just three strokes off the pace after the first day of the Kepler Intercollegiate Golf Tournament at Ohio State University's Scarlet course.
Howe's effort helped Penn State into fifth place in the 14-team field after two rounds. The Nittany Lions posted rounds of 303 and 310 on the Par-71, 7,455-yard course for a team total of 45-over par 613. The Nittany Lions are looking for their ninth straight top five finish in tournament action on the year. Penn State finished third in the tournament last year.
The Nittany Lions are just eight strokes off the pace set by team leader Michigan State, which fired rounds of 303 and 302 for a total of 37-over par 605. The Nittany Lions and Spartans are among eight Big Ten teams in the field.
Michigan State's Ryan Brehm led the individual race at 1-over par 145 after rounds of 73 and 72.
Senior Robert Rohanna (Waynesburg, Pa.) shot rounds of 76 and 77 to stand tied for 15th at 11-over par 148. Fellow Senior Harvin Groft (State College, Pa.) shot rounds of 78 and 79 to stand tied for 39th at 15-over par 157. Sophomore Kevin Foley (Somerville, N.J.) was tied for 50th after posting 76 and 84 for a total of 18-over par 160. Senior Matt Leon (Brampton, Ontario) was tied for 69th with rounds of 87 and 79 for a 24-over par total of 166.
Play concludes tomorrow.
1. Michigan State 605 +37
2. Colorado 606 +38
3. Ohio State 608 +40
4. Kent State 609 +41
5. PENN STATE 613 +45
T6.Wisconsin 614 +46
T6. Northwestern 614 +46
8. Louisville 620 +52
9. Purdue 623 +55
10. Furman 629 +61
Penn State U.
T3 TJ Howe +6 F 73 75 148
T15 Robert Rohanna +11 F 76 77 153
T39 Harvin Groft +15 F 78 79 157
T50 Kevin Foley +18 F 76 84 160
T69 Matt Leon +24 F 87 79 166