Eagles Comeback on Day Two of NJCAA National Champ.

The Meridian Community College golf team made a strong push up the leaderboard on day two of the 2007 NJCAA men’s golf national championship with a team score of 2-under par, 286. The Eagles, which began the day in tenth out of 20 teams, moved passed six teams with their under-par round to find themselves alone in fourth place.

“I’m not sure which day is supposed to be ‘moving day’,” said MCC golf coach Sean Covich.

“But apparently for us, today was it.”

MCC posted the lowest team score of the day and the second lowest of the tournament thus far.

MCC sophomore, Dustin Petit moved from eighth place all the way up to second place in the individual standings. Petit backed up an opening round of 1-under par round of 71, with a 4-under par round of 68 on day two. Petit is 5-under par for the event, just two shots back of individual leader, Bill Jones, III of Darton (GA) College, who is at 7-under (65-72).

MCC freshman and Scottsboro-native, Jarrod Lemaster rebounded from an opening round 84 to post a 3-under par round of 69.

MCC sophomore, Justin Eaves, who shot 1-under 71 on day one, continued his steady play with a solid 2-over par 74, while freshman Joshua Ivy contributed to the team score with a 3-over par 75. Ivy shot 4-over par 76 on day one.

MCC freshman, Bryant Self, who had to withdraw from the opening round due to a stomach virus, shot a 79 in his first round of the tournament on day two.

“I am happy for the entire team,” said Covich.

“This is the MCC team that I know and it feels good as a coach to see my boys smiling again. They played like champions today.”

First round leader, Darton (GA) College, sits atop the leader board with a two day total of 571. South Mountain (AZ) College held on o their second place spot, the Cougars are at 578. In third place is Tyler (TX) Junior College with a 587 and MCC is just one shot back in fourth place at 588.

Third round of the national championship will begin Thursday morning. MCC is slated to begin play around 11:32 am. The tournament is scheduled for 72-holes, and will conclude on Friday.

Updated scores are available at www.goosepond.org.