Kristjansson, Meronk pace Bucs on Sunday

WILMINGTON, N.C.  (March 16, 2014) – The ETSU men’s golf team overcame cold and rainy conditions to move its way into second-place following the first two rounds of the Seahawk Intercollegiate on Sunday at the Country Club of Landfall in Wilmington, N.C.

The Bucs recorded a team score of 3-over-par 579 (279-300), and were led by sophomores Gudmundur Kristjansson (Reykjavik, Iceland) and Adrian Meronk (Wroclaw, Poland).

Kristjansson, who is tied for sixth at 2-under-par 142, put up a 5-under 67 in the first round, marking his second-lowest score of the season. After conditions became more troublesome later in the afternoon, the Icelander totaled a 3-over 75 in the second round, and enters Monday’s final round five shots off the lead. Meanwhile, Meronk is right behind his Buccaneer teammate as the Polish standout is tied for eighth at 1-under-par 143. Like Kristjansson, Meronk also finished with a 75 in the second round, while posting a 4-under 68 in the opener.

ETSU sat in fourth after firing a 9-under-par 279 in the first round, and despite ending the second round at 12-over 300, the Bucs moved ahead Davidson and No. 52 Louisville for second.

The Blue and Gold enter the final round 19 shots back of leader and No. 25-ranked South Carolina, as the Gamecocks broke a pair of tournament records on Sunday. South Carolina finished the day with the lowest 36-hole score (16-under-par 560), and its first round number of 15-under 273 set the lowest opening round total in tournament history.

South Carolina’s Will Starke was also busy breaking tournament records on the individual side. Starke registered the lowest 36-hole score at the Seahawk Intercollegiate, as the Gamecock sophomore ended the day at 7-under-par 137. Starke has a one-stroke lead over Davidson’s Sam Echikson and a two-shot lead over teammate Matthew NeSmith. Both Starke and Echikson fired an 8-under 64 in the opening round, which also set a new tournament mark.

Kristjansson and Meronk were one of nine golfers to finish the first 36 holes below par.

The final round of the tournament gets underway Monday morning at 8:18, while the Bucs tee off with South Carolina and Louisville at 9:12. Live scoring is not available for this tournament.  

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