Oct. 11, 2005

HARRISONBURG, Va. - Villanova had four players shoot a score of even par or better in the second round and the Wildcats posted team scores of 288-283=571 to sit in ninth place out of 12 teams following the first day of competition at the James Madison Invitational. The 54-hole tournament concludes with the final round beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday from Lakeview Golf Course (par-71, 6517 yards).

Alexander was at even par following rounds of 72-70=142 and he was tied for ninth place in the field of 66 golfers. He carded a round of 1-under-par in the second round to lead four Villanova players who shot even par or better for the round. Seniors Jonathan Hewett (Sioux Falls, S.D.) and Colin Mahon (Rhinebeck, N.Y.) and junior Steve Arnold (Langhorne, Pa.) each finished with a 71 over their second 18 holes of the day.

Hewett and Arnold were tied for 24th places with identical scores of 72-71=143, while freshman Doug Stadler (Wexford, Pa.) put in rounds of 72-73=145 to tie for 34th place. Mahon came back from a 75 in the first round with his 71 in the second round and was tied for 38th place.

Villanova freshman Bill Gropp (Bryn Mawr, Pa.) is playing in the tournament as an individual and is tied for 54th place entering Tuesday's final round. He carded scores of 73-76=149 in his collegiate debut.

Eight of the 12 teams in the field had team scores of even par or better following the two rounds, with Liberty leading the way following rounds of 279-281=560 (-8). Following Liberty were James Madison and George Mason (561) in a tie for second place, while Drexel (563) and Belmont Abbey (564) rounded out the top five.

Jay Lindell of James Madison stood at 7-under par following scores of 66-69=135 and was in first place atop the field. The top 18 players in the field all had scores under par through the first two rounds.

Results from the final round on Tuesday will be available late Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats are then back in action this Saturday and Sunday at the Big 5 Classic played at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.

NOTES: Villanova's team score of 283 in the second round was the squad's low score of the season through eight rounds ... Alexander leads the Wildcats with two rounds under par this season ... He also shot a 3-under-par 67 in the first round of the St. John's/McLaughlin at Bethpage.