Sept. 13, 2002

Results

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A two-horse race between a pair of league rivals erupted at the University of New Mexico's Championship Golf Course on Friday as the host Lobos and UNLV Rebels sit respectively atop the leaderboard following the first two rounds of play.

New Mexico posted the field's top score after the first 18, an impressive seven-under 281, and followed that with a team par round. UNLV countered with even par in the morning before a tourney-best second round of 282 which left it one stroke behind the host.

Aside from the teams' head-to-head war, the Lobos' Michael Letzig and Rebels' Ryan Moore waged a fierce individual battle. Both opened with 69s on the par-72 course to share the lead. Moore repeated his effort, firing another 69 to sit six-under par. Letzig topped the Rebels' sophomore star by one stroke, carding a tourney-best 68 to lead the field.

Adding to the collectively impressive performance from the Rebel lineup were Brien Davis, tied for 14th at even par, and Travis Whisman, who sits in 20th place at one-over. Whisman, who redshirted last season after undergoing back surgery, played his first competitive rounds in more than a year.

Freshmen Mitch Carlson and Ryan Posey, making their Rebel debuts, both contributed to the Rebels' success. Carlson improved upon his 77 in the opener with a 69 in the nightcap and climbed to 24th place on the leaderboard. Posey, sitting in a tie for 43rd, threw a 74 into the Rebels' par round and shot 75 on the second loop.

Final-round play will begin Saturday morning.