HILO, HI -  The Yellowjacket men and women golfers are holding steady in second and third place respectively in the team standings after round two of the PacWest Conference championships.  The final round of play is scheduled for 7 a.m. Saturday in Hilo.

Hawaii-Hilo men are holding a comfortable 22-stroke lead over the Yellowjackets with rounds of 277 and 276 for a 553 total.  The Jackets shot 294 and 291 for a team combined 575 increasing their lead to three strokes over third place Western New Mexico (578).  Hawaii Pacific (598), BYU-Hawaii (620) and Chaminade (779) round out the top six in the team standings.

Yellowjacket Chris Haas (Jr., Bozeman, MT) was the story of the day shooting five birdies and an eagle to shoot a 29 on the back nine for a second round best seven-under 64.  Haas set a new Yellowjacket school record for a single round.  Hass is tied for fourth with a two round total of 1-under 140.  Teammate Chris McConnell (Jr., Lewistown, MT) shares the fourth spot shooting rounds of 71 and 69 (140).  Hawaii-Hilo holds the top three individual spots with Nick Mason leading the way with rounds of 70 and 65 for a 135.

"I'm so proud of the men," said men's head coach Roger Burckley.  "They are playing well and are gaining respect in Division II schools with the way they are playing.  I believe the confidence they have gained will carry them through the final round Saturday."

In the women's championship, Western New Mexico increased their lead shooting a 314 in Friday's round for a two-day total of 625.  Holding second and trailing by 27 strokes is the host team Hawaii-Hilo with a 335 and 317 for a 652.  MSU Billings sits in third shooting identical rounds of 345 both days for a combined 690.  BYU-Hawaii (816), Chaminade (933) and Hawaii Pacific (1049) finish out the final three spots.

Katharine Dorris of Western New Mexico continues her lead shooting a five-over 76 in round two for a combined two-day total of 149.  Five strokes off the pace is the Jackets' Halley Montalban (Fr., Billings, MT) shooting rounds of 76 and 78 for a 154. Teammate Amanda Rabenberg (Jr., Livingston, MT) improved three strokes in round two to shoot an 84, making her two-day total 171.

"The women are playing consistent with all of them improving their game each round," said women's head coach Jeff Nelson.  "The greens have been difficult and we are working on them.  If we can nail them, we will have strong rounds.  Montalban is playing great golf; it will be exciting to see what she does in the final round."

MSU Billings Individual Standings
Men                                                                 
T4  Chris McConnell- 71  69  140                    
T4  Chris Haas- 76  64  140                             
T10  Nicholas Larson- 73  74  147                   
13  Zach Abels- 75  74  149                            
22  Bryan Barthelmess- 75  81  156      
          
Women
2  Halley Montalban- 76  78  154
T11  Amanda Rabenberg- 87  84  171
13  Julie Clifford- 86  94  180
14  Nicole Clayton- 96  91  187
15  Nicole Salsbery- 96  92  188