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Football Recruiting Important WR target in town tomorrow for practice

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Told me earlier this morning that he will be in Tallahassee tomorrow for his first visit to campus. He already has an official visit set as well for the June 13th weekend but this is his first time on campus. He's had visits on the list for a few months now but basketball has forced him to move back his plans a couple of times. He was also offered by Luke Loucks for basketball as well.

Really important visit in my opinion in terms of the WR board. Really nice prospect.

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Baseball A shutout and a rout: FSU drills USF 19-0

Midweek games had often been an adventure for Florida State. But the Seminoles pieced together quality pitching and big innings for a blowout victory on Tuesday.

Payton Manca, Ben Barrett and Jacob Marlowe combined for a three-hit shutout, while the FSU bats produced 20 hits in an 19-0 rout of South Florida in seven innings. It was the most runs for the Seminoles since putting up 24 in a win over Penn in February.

Cal Fisher had four RBI, including a two-run homer, while Max Williams scored three runs. Every Seminole in the starting lineup scored a run, and FSU batted around in a seven-run first inning and eight-run fifth inning.

Football Osceola Video: Mike Norvell, Jayvan Boggs talk after FSU spring practice No. 13

We caught up with Mike Norvell and Jayvan Boggs after FSU's 13th spring practice. Norvell talked about a good day for the offense and the passing game while Boggs discussed what has allowed him to be so successful in his first spring at FSU.

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Football Notes: FSU prepped for departures, open to additions in final portal window

The day before the second transfer portal window begins, FSU head coach Mike Norvell discussed it after Tuesday's practice. He said he doesn't expect many departure surprises to happen but he does expect some "real" conversations. Unsurprisingly, he's also open to portal additions in this spring window if the fit is right.

Plus notes on what Norvell called a Tuesday practice that was among the best of the spring from the offense and the passing game.

FSU women's tennis begins play in ACC championship

FSU sports information:

The No. 64 Florida State women’s tennis team will begin postseason play on Wednesday at 10 a.m. against No. 62 Louisville in the second round of the ACC Women’s Tennis Championship at Cary Tennis Park in Cary, N.C.

The Seminoles enter the tournament as the No. 13 seed, and Wednesday's winner will advance to play No. 5 California on Thursday. Florida State will look to avenge a 4-3 home loss it suffered to the Cardinals earlier this season.

FSU has won at least one match in the ACC Tournament each of the last three years. The Seminoles reached the semifinals in 2024 after a 4-1 victory over Miami in the quarterfinal round.

Eva Shaw and Maria Juliana Parra Romero finished the regular season last weekend, defeating the No. 15-ranked pair from Duke 6-2 to earn their second top-25 victory of the season. The duo finished the regular season with a 13-4 record and looks to keep their momentum heading into postseason play.

Freshman Mary Boyce Deatherage finished the regular season with the most singles victories for the Noles, winning 15 matches this season, including an 11-match winning streak.

Millie Bissett was victorious last season in the quarterfinal over Miami, earning a straight-sets 6-3, 6-3 victory. Laura Putz and Kristyna Lavickova will also add a veteran presence for the Seminoles after competing in both singles and doubles competition in the quarterfinal and semifinal of last year’s tournament.

Live stats and video throughout the tournament will be available on Seminoles.com.
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Golf Clanton, Albright top leaderboard as No. 10 FSU win Chitengwa Invitational

FSU sports information:

Despite windy conditions on Tuesday, the No. 10 Florida State men’s golf team won the Lewis Chitengwa Invitational at the Birdwood Golf Course.

The Seminoles built a 16-stroke lead through two rounds of play on Monday and finished the tournament 13-under, ahead of the host No. 11 Virginia.

The win marks the third of the year for the Seminoles, after taking home the Watersound Invitational and Seminole Intercollegiate. In the 2025 portion of the season, the Noles did not finish lower than third place, finishing higher than 16 ranked teams in four starts.

Luke Clanton and Gray Albright led the Noles, finishing in first and second place, respectively. Clanton, who repeated as the tournament champion, earned his third win of the season, matching his total from 2023-24. Clanton scored 5-under, 208, two strokes ahead of Albright at 3-under, 210.

Carson Brewer followed in sixth place, scoring 2-under, 211, producing his third top 10 finish in nine starts this season.

Jack Bigham shot 72 on Tuesday to finish even, 213 to tie for eighth and Tyler Weaver added a round of 75 to finish 4-over, 217 in a tie for 25th place.

Competing individually, Patrick McCann finished at 1-over, 214 tying for 14th.

Florida State will head to Bowling Green, Ky., for the ACC Championships running from April 24-28 at The Club at Olde Stone.

Lewis Chitengwa Invitational
No. 10 Florida State -13
No. 11 Virginia – 8
Northwestern E
Liberty +6
Clemson +8
Arkansas +12
FGCU +23
Texas State +26
Maryland +28
Toledo +31
Loyola +34
North Florida +40

Player Scores
Luke Clanton – 66, 66, 76
Gray Albright – 68, 67, 75
Carson Brewer – 65, 68, 78
Jack Bigham – 68, 73, 72
Tyler Weaver – 68, 74, 75
Patrick McCann – 65, 70, 79
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Ranking the Commitments -Class of 2026

FSU has 9 commitments for the class of 2026. If you look at what they need 1-QB, 1-2 RB, 2-3 WR, 1 TE, 3-4 OL, 2 DE, 2 DT, 2-3 LB, 2 S and 2 CB. If they reach those numbers you are around 21-22 players for the 2026 class.


QB-0
RB-1 (Amari Thomas - Blountstown)
WR-2 (Efrem White - Vero Beach / Darryon Williams - Tampa Plant)
TE-O
OL-3-4 (Xavier Payne - Jones-OT-OG / Michael Ionata - Calvary Christian)

DE-O
DT-O
LB-2-3 (Kayron Maycock - Miami Central)
S-2 (Tedarius Hughes - Miami Northwestern / Darryl Bell - Miami Lakes Barbara Goleman)
CB-2 (Sean Johnson - Severn, Md., Archbishop Spalding)

Ranking the commits

1) RB-Amari Thomas: Blountstown HS-5'11-190 -
Think Thomas is severely underrated as a prospect. Turn on is film and there is very little wasted motion. He has some CJ Spiller to his game. He has both the speed and quickness to make the big plays. You watch him cut and it is very fluid for Thomas. He is not easy to bring down. He runs through tackles. I feel that he is only going to get better. Thomas should be ranked a higher 4 star prospect.

2) WR-Darryon Williams-Tampa Plant-5'11-170- Darryon is probably the best overall athlete in FSU's class. He is very elusive as a receiver. Turn on his film and this kid makes plays against every team he faces. He dominated against Saint Thomas Aquinas. He has the ability to stretch the field. He is going to make the big play. He has very good ball skills. You can put him on special teams and Darryon will probably make plays there as well. He is someone that needs the ball in his hands.

3) LB-Kayron Maycock-Miami Central-6'1-200-Big on versatility. Maycock was a safety but may outgrow the position. When you play so many spread offenses you need backers who can run. Maycock can flat out run. He is physical and can come up and help in the run game. He fills the gaps. He is someone that is going to play with instincts. He is also very good in coverage. Another player that is underrated. He is a legit 4 star prospect.

4) OT-OG Xavier Payne-Orlando Jones-6'7-320- Payne plays tackle at Jones High School. At the Rivals.com camp he was playing tackle. He has the size that FSU needs on the outside. He can possibly play right tackle but we project him more as a guard. He has some physicality. What he lacks is great lateral quickness. Speed rushers off the edge could give him some problems.

5) S-Darryl Bell-Goleman HS-6'0-190 -Bell is the first big time prospect to come out of Goleman. He has played running back and safety. He is an in the box safety at the next level. He is similar to a Nate Andrews. He tackles well. Bell is someone that you has played some running back so he understands what opposing teams are trying to do on offense. He is a very good player but has a limited upside.

6) DB-Tedarius Hughes: Miami Northwestern- 6'2-170- Hughes has some length in the secondary. He is someone that plays with range. You can line him up on the hash and let him cover half the field. He needs to become more consistent from week to week. He is more of a free safety than strong. Hughes has to get bigger and stronger.

7) DB-Sean Johnson: Archbishop Spalding -6'1-175- Johnson fits the mold of corners FSU is trying to sign. He is bigger (6'1) and gives you some length. He is more of a boundary corner. Not sure you put him in space or have him cover a receiver on a crossing route. He lacks ideal speed and quickness to play man coverage. He tackles alright. You would like for him to have quicker feet. Good player but he needs some work.

8) OL-Michael Ionata-Calvary Christian-6'5-300-I stress over and over again that FSU lacks OT with some size and length. Ionata is someone that fits the bill. He has some length. He is a big kid. He moves pretty well. You would like for him to be a little more fluid in his lower body. He plays a little high. He has decent technique but that is something that the coaches at FSU will want to work on.

9) WR-Efrem White-Vero Beach-6'2-200-White has the top ranking of any prospect in FSU class. White has played QB, WR and DB in college. I would not be surprised to see White not end up in FSU class. We will see what happens this spring but he needs to show something on the field.

Final Thoughts: I judge classes based on filling needs. FSU NEEDS a big time QB. PERIOD. I know there are rumors of Duckworth leaning to Ole Miss....Don't care. FSU needs to land Duckworth as he has some ELITE skills to play QB at the next level. Signing a QB to sign one is not an option this year. I also feel FSU needs to land a #1 WR, a top tackle, a top rated DE, DT and CB. We will see what happens as there is a long ways to go.

Stock Up - Stock Down - Stock stays the same....

FSU sits at 17th in the Rivals rankings. They have 9 players committed at this time. They are bringing in Julius Miles for another visit this week. He will now have been on campus five times over the past two years. I have always said follow the visits. It would not shock me to see him pull the trigger and become a Seminole. Miles does not have a national ranking by Rivals. He is rated the 80th best prospect in the state of Florida and 26th overall in the country as a tight end. I would have him rated as a top 50 player in Florida. There are some other prospects FSU looks good for. We will break it down and give you our thoughts on where FSU stands.


Stock Up

1) TE Julius Miles -(Freeport HS, Freeport, FL) -6'6-210 -
I have a big fan of FSU recruiting west of Tallahassee harder. If there is one thing coach Mike Norvell and his staff have done is do just that. Since 2021 FSU has recruited Joshua Farmer (Gadsden County), AZ Thomas (Niceville HS), Ja'Bril Rawls (Pensacola Catholic) and Jonathan Daniels (Pine Forest). This past class FSU landed Tyon Lee from Pace HS. Miles should be next. He is a former receiver that is going to end up playing tight end in college.

2) QB Jaden O'Neal -(Mustang HS-Mustang, OK) 6'3-200 -Committed to OU-He took a recent visit to FSU and it looks like the Sooners are going all in for Bowe Bentley. O' Neal is more like DJ U than he is a traditional dual threat QB. He has a big arm but is not super accurate. He has some tools to work with but he still needs to grow as a quarterback. FSU needs to expand the board but with that said O'Neal stock is up for FSU.

3) DT-Kendall Guervil -(Fort Myers HS-Fort Myers, FL) 6'5-310 -Outside of signing a QB, DT may be the most important position on the board. FSU came up short last NSD at the DT position. Kendall is near the top of the board. He is probably better as a prospect than Myron Charles who FSU lost out to Texas a year ago.
4) LB-Duyon Forkpa-(IMG Academy-Bradenton, FL) 6'0-225-Duyon is impressive looking as a prospect. He has size. The kid can flat out run. He has bad intentions when he hits a ball carrier. FSU has a major need at linebacker or Duyon may be the best player at his position in Florida. The Seminoles do have a shot and his stock is on the rise.

5) RB-Derrek Cooper - (Chaminade-Hollywood, FL) 6'1-210 - Cooper was high on FSU early on. After an early liking of the Seminoles it looked like Ohio State or Georgia would pull him in. Now the Seminoles are back in the game. Like with Ousmah Kromah, the Seminoles just need to stay in the game. Cooper is too much of a difference maker to not go all in for the South Florida star.


Stock Down
1) QB Landon Duckworth-(Jackson HS-Jackson, AL)- 6'3-210-
I am still of the belief you go all in for Landon. He is the top QB on the board. He has a chance to be very good at the next level. He is said to be leaning towards Ole Miss with South Carolina quietly in the picture.

2) WR Calvin Russell -(Miami Northwestern HS-Miami, FL) 6'5-200 - Calvin is a prospect that FSU still has a shot at. He has not made a decision yet on where to go to college. FSU just has not gotten him on campus which is always a concern. He is someone that you recruit all the way until NSD.

3) DE Kamron Wilson -(Miami Southridge HS-Miami, FL) 6'5-210 -Wilson looked to be leaning FSU way and out of nowhere picked Syracuse. The Orangemen are doing quite well in recruiting. Wilson still could end up in FSU class. While they are in the stock down category with Wilson the need for quality defensive ends is very high. We could still see Wilson end up in FSU class.

4) LB Adam Balogoun-Ali-(Cardinal Newman HS-WPB, FL) 6'2-200- This time a year ago it looked like FSU was going to land a commitment from Ali. It looks like the new defensive staff may not be as high on him. Things can change but Ali now looks to be on the outside looking in.

5) OL Lamar Brown (University Lab-Baton Rouge, LA) 6'4-290 -Unless LSU has a terrible season I just don't see how they lose a big time prospect from Baton Rouge. FSU is consider an option for Brown. He would fill a major need as FSU needs to upgrade the talent on the OL. I just would not bet my life on this kid choosing FSU.


Stock Stays the same

1) TE Evan Jacobson - (Waukee HS-Waukee, IA) 6'7-220
watched him last year at the FSU camp and came away impressed. The state of Iowa produces very good tight ends. He recently visited again. If he comes on an official visit and follows it up by being down here this summer, I would put FSU odds of landing him in the very likely column.

2) OT Johnnie Jones - (Berkeley Prep HS-Tampa, FL) 6'6-305 -FSU needs tackles and Jones is one of the ones they have a legit shot at. He is athletic. He can move well laterally. He also is very raw. The need for a true tackle is why Jones is in play for FSU. The Seminoles have not done well at this high school so it will be interesting if they could finally break through and land Jones.

3) CB-Chancey Kennon - (Booker HS-Sarasota, FL) 6'1-175-Kennon is one of the Seminoles top targets. He has been pro-FSU for a while now. The only thing FSU needs to do is close the deal. It would not surprise us to see him commit before the season starts. Kennon is a priority for the Seminoles.

4) S-Lasiah Jackson - (Lee County HS-Leesburg, GA) 6'3-175 -FSU is trying to improve the safety position. Jackson not only likes FSU, they may be leading for his services. He gives you a big, long, athletic safety in the secondary. With FSU 3-3-5 scheme, he is the ideal fit for what they are trying to do on defense.

5) DT-Deuce Geralds- (Collins Hill-Suwanee, GA) 6'2-270 - FSU is going to need to sign quality DT this cycle. Deuce is one they have kept in constant contact with. He will have to get bigger to play DT in college. He is a quality player who’s only going to get better.

Softball FSU's Jazzy Francik Named ACC Pitcher of the Week

FSU sports information:

Florida State softball's Jazzy Francik earned ACC Pitcher of the Week on Tuesday afternoon. Francik is just the second FSU true freshman to win the award in the last 14 years as Makenna Reid won the award in 2023 as a true freshman for the first time since Lacey Waldrop in 2012.

Francik was terrific in FSU's trip to California. Francik set the tone on Wednesday against Saint Mary's as she pitched a complete game shutout against the Gaels in the 3-0 victory. Francik became the first Seminole to throw a complete game this season as she allowed just three hits and struck out a career high 12 batters. Her 12 strikeouts were the most by a Seminole since Meghan King had 13 strikeouts on April 16, 2019, against Boston College.

Francik had another great outing out of the bullpen against Cal on Saturday. Francik pitched three innings and allowed one run on two hits to earn her sixth save of the season. Her six saves this season are tied with Reid for the second-most in school history. In total, Francik pitched 10 innings and allowed just one earned run on five hits.

Franick is 7-2 this season with a 1.85 ERA which is the lowest among FSU's four pitchers that have thrown over 50 innings. In her last six appearances, Francik has allowed just two earned runs in 18.1 innings.

Football FSU QB Kevin Sperry showing the moment isn't too big for him in first spring as a Seminole

A late addition to FSU's 2025 signing class, freshman QB Kevin Sperry has turned heads with his deceptive athleticism and impressive resiliency for a freshman this spring.

"The moment hasn't really been too big for him, which is kind of unusual for a true freshman."

Basketball It’s been a busy first month for FSU basketball coach Luke Loucks

Luke Loucks flew into Tallahassee on the afternoon of March 9 with his wife, Stevi, and family. Florida State’s basketball coach has been working non-stop to build the program in his image.

Fueled by excitement and caffeine, Loucks has assembled a coaching staff, met with current players, landed five transfers, retained two Seminoles and has shown what he values in players. We’ll take a look at what Loucks and the coaches have accomplished as well as what’s ahead.

Baseball FSU ace Jamie Arnold named ACC Pitcher of the Week

Jamie Arnold earned his first ACC Pitcher of the Week honor this season (second career) on Monday after putting together one of his better starts as a Seminole Saturday at Virginia Tech.

The award could have gone to FSU's pitching staff as a whole after six FSU pitchers allowed four total runs over 27 innings in FSU's ranked road sweep of the Hokies.

Golf FSU begins play at ACC Championships

Experience. Focus. Drive. Consistency.

Amy Bond, the head coach of the No. 3 ranked Florida State women’s golf team, works throughout the year to ensure her team gains experience, remains focused on staying present in each tournament, continues to be driven to succeed whenever they step on the course, and stays consistent in their approach to preparing for and playing in each of its events.

With those four goals accomplished, Bond is excited as the Seminoles begin their postseason run at the ACC Championships at the Sedgefield Country Club (April 16-19) in Greensboro, N.C. She is hoping for April and May to be very special months for her program.

“This is really the fun part of the year because we have been talking about this all year – trying to get better week in and week out,” said Bond. “You don’t have to be good in September, but you have to be good in April and May. You don’t have to be good in January, but you have to be good in April and May. We are really excited about where the team is trending right now.

“It’s time and they are ready.”

Beginning with a runner-up at the Folds of Honor Collegiate in September, Florida State has finished in the top four of each event this year and it enters the ACC Championship having won five consecutive stroke play events. The Seminoles have won the team titles at the Landfall Tradition, the Collegiate Invitational at the Guadalajara Country Club, the Moon Invitational, the Briar’s Creek Invitational, and the Florida State Match Up.

The Seminoles’ team success has come through tremendous individual success through the year.

In the eight events Florida State has played in this year, a Seminole has earned the individual championship an incredible seven times.

Junior All-American Mirabel Ting has a career-high five wins (at the Folds of Honor Collegiate, the Schooner Fall Classic, The Collegiate Invitational and the Guadalajara Country Club and the Briar’s Creek Invitational). Her five wins this season brings her Florida State career total to six (she also won the Valspar Augusta Invitational as a sophomore). Ting enters the 2025 ACC Championship looking to become the all-time career wins leader as her next win makes her the all-time leader in individual wins in Florida State history.

Junior All-American Lottie Woad earned medalist honors at both the Landfall Tradition and the Moon Invitational.

Woad (No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings and No. 7 in the collegiate rankings) and Ting (No. 1 in the collegiate rankings and No. 2 in the WAGR) are the two highest ranked players entering play at the ACC Championship which includes Stanford’s Meja Örtengren (No. 15 in the WAGR and No. 4 in the collegiate rankings), Wake Forest’s Carolina Chacarra (No. 24 in the WAGR and No. 6 in the collegiate rankings), Stanford’s Paula Martín Sampedro (No. 14 in the WAGR and No. 8 in the collegiate rankings) and Stanford’s Megha Ganne (No. 10 in the WAGR and No. 10 in the collegiate rankings).

A total of 11 golfers in the top 32 of the collegiate rankings will play in the ACC Championships.

“The ACC has added three more teams – with Stanford as the current No. 1 team in the country,” said Bond. “I thought we were having a great year with seven losses – they (Stanford) have zero losses. I think it will be a good challenge for us. It’s also the first time we get to go stroke play-match play. The top six teams make match play, the top two seeds out of stroke play get a bye in the first (match play) round.

“It will be really good for us to make match play and get some experience there and with match play you never know what’s going to happen.”

Florida State’s lineup consistency is another reason why Bond is excited for the start of the postseason.

The Seminoles’ lineup will consist of All-Americans Woad and Ting, along with freshman Sophia Fullbrook and, senior Kaylah Williams, and freshmen Alexandra Gazzoli and Layla Pedrique.

It’s the same lineup Bond has played with throughout the Seminoles’ incredibly successful spring season.

“We just want to let our horses run,” said Bond. “Lottie and Mirabel are a great one-two punch. They’ve had a great year. We do have two freshmen that are actually playing in the lineup, so for them to be able to watch Lottie and Mirabel week in and week out has been really good for them.

“I think it’s been a great season for everyone,” said Woad. “I think it’s been the most consistent team we’ve had so far. A lot of team wins and individual wins for different people, so it’s been really good.”

Bond will count on Woad and Ting to lead the Seminoles and is also comfortable with the experience her entire lineup has gained throughout the season.

“Right now, our number three is Sophia Fullbrook, a freshman from England who has done great things. She’s going to kill you with pars which is great for the person playing three. You want them to be consistent. We’ve got senior Kaylah William, who is also our captain, who is really starting to come along. She’s really hit her stride. We have two freshmen who are battling for that fifth spot. The great thing about postseason golf is that we can sub. It’s the first time we can sub. For us to have six with Layla Pedrique and Alexandra Gazzoli – they are a good little punch that we can utilize when we see who is playing the golf course well.”

Woad, who will play in her third ACC Championship, will look to become the first individual champion from Florida State and to lead the Seminoles to their first ever ACC Championship.

We’re very excited,” said Woad. “I think we’ve got great momentum going into the postseason. The ACC is so strong, especially this year as they have added a few more teams. It’s going to be difficult, but I think everyone’s up for it and ready.”

Livestats for the championship can be found of Golfstat. As the No. 2 seed in the championship, the Seminoles begin play on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. on Hole No. 1 and will play with No. 1 seeded Stanford and No. 3 seeded Wake Forest.
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Football Coordinator quote book: Malzahn, White, Papuchis speak to FSU boosters

Florida State coordinators Gus Malzahn, Tony White and John Papuchis spoke to a gathering of boosters on Monday night at the University Center Club. Jerry and I enjoyed the evening, meeting up with a few fans and listening to the coaches.

Below are a few comments from each of the coaches.

Golf FSU men lead Lewis Chitengwa Invitational by 16 shots

FSU sports information:

The No. 10 Florida State men’s golf team leads the field at the Lewis Chitengwa Invitational by 16 strokes, sitting at 27-under, 541 after two rounds at the Birdwood Golf Course.

With all six players contributing scores under 70 in the first round, the Seminoles finished the first 17-under par, 267, tying for the fifth-lowest single-round score in program history.

Four Seminoles hold the top three spots on the leaderboard, led by Luke Clanton, who carded back-to-back rounds of 66. Clanton sits first at 10-under, 132 ahead of Carson Brewer at 9-under, 131.

Gray Albright finished at 7-under, 135 and is tied for place with Patrick McCann, who is playing individually.

McCann and Brewer shot 65 in the opening round, securing their career lows and tying for the lead. Both players carded an eagle in the first round, as Brewer added five birdies and McCann contributed four.

Jack Bigham is tied for 21st at 1-under, 141 and Tyler Weaver is tied for 29th at even, 142.

McCann will start round three at 8:40 a.m. Weaver will go at 9:40 a.m., followed by Bigham at 9:50 a.m., Albright at 10 a.m., Brewer at 10:10 a.m. and Clanton at 10:20 a.m.

Lewis Chitengwa Invitational
No. 10 Florida State -27
No. 11 Virginia – 11
Northwestern - 10
Liberty -2
Clemson -1
FGCU +1
Arkansas +3
Texas State +4
Toledo +10
Maryland +11
Loyola +12
North Florida +13

Player Scores
Luke Clanton – 66, 66
Carson Brewer – 65, 68
Gray Albright – 68, 67
Patrick McCann – 65, 70
Jack Bigham – 68, 73
Tyler Weaver – 68, 74
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