Pack within shooting distance after one round

ThunderWolves are five strokes behind CSU-Monterey Bay, threshold to qualify for nationals.

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. (GoThunderWolves.com -  May 7, 2012) - Seeking its second straight trip to the NCAA Division II National Golf Championships, the ThunderWolves started strong Monday at the Central/West Super Regionals, shooting a 7-over-par 295 after one round of play.

The Pack currently sits in seventh place in the 20-team field, and is 22 strokes behind leader Chico State.  

The top five finishing squads earn trips to the National Golf Championships.  The current fourth-place squad, Cal State-Monterey Bay, is currently just five strokes ahead of the ThunderWolves.  CSUMB shot a first-round 290. 

The Pack was led by James Berry (Jr., Traverse City, Mich.), who shot a first-round 69 to play himself into a three-way tie for sixth place overall.  The top two individuals not associated with a qualifying team also qualify individually for nationals, and as a result, if the tournament ended today, Berry would be tied for that final individual spot.

Chad Novak (Sr., Pueblo, Colo.) shot an even-par 72 in the first round, the second-lowest round by a ThunderWolf.  The Pack's fivesome was rounded out by Ricco Tapia (Jr., Raton, N.M.), (4-over 76, 52nd place), Matt Porter (RFr., Castle Rock, Colo.), (6-over 78, 76th place), and Scott Wyers (Sr., San Diego, Calif.) (7-over 79, 84th place).

The Pack will pick up tomorrow with second-round action of the three-round regional tournament.