2008 Independent Women's Champion Sara Young walks up the 7th fairway during Saturday's round. (Photo: The PGA of America)

May 9, 2009 -- PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University of Daytona, Fla. extended their lead in the Division I Men's standings at the 23rd PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship after tallying a two-day total of 10-under-par 566. The Wildcats lead Tennessee State University by 10-strokes with 18-holes remaining. The Unversity of Texas-Pan America sits in third place overall.

The three-day event is being played on the Ryder and Wanamaker courses at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Andrew Heesom of England and Willie Mack III of Flint, Mich., lead the Wildcats with a five-under-par 139.

Robert Cacho from South Carolina State University vaulted up the leader board in the Division I men's individual standings, as he fired a second round 9-under-par 63, his lowest competitive round ever.

The freshman's bogey-free round included nine birdies.

"Every putt went in it seemed. I could do no wrong," said Cacho, who is playing in his first Championship. "The team objective this week was to be at even par every day and I want to do my part and go lower every round."

Kirakossian, the first round leader, fired a second-round 66 and sits in second place overall. The Oregon native has birdied every par-5 he has played over the first two rounds.

"Being able to reach every par-5 in two has been key for me this week," said Kirakossian, a junior. "I also hit wedge into most of the par-4s, which gives me a great deal of confidence."

In the women's division, the University of Texas-Pan-American in Edinburg has carded a two-day total of 614, and holds an 18-stroke lead over defending champion Bethune-Cookman University going into the final round of play.

Majo Camey from the University of Texas-Pan American continues to lead the women's division individual standings after firing a second round 74. She leads teammate Haley Hocott by five-strokes. Emma Tayler of Bethune-Cookman University is alone in third place, seven-strokes back of Camey.

"I did not start off well today but then I thought about my team and how much we wanted to win and I turned it around," said Camey, who is competing in her first Championship. "I really played amazing on my back nine and my putting was key to that."

Camey and the Broncs are looking for their first title since 2005, when they recorded a Championship-record team total of 912, which broke the previous record of 932 held by Bethune-Cookman University.

"We have to stay focused tomorrow and play with everything we have," said Camey. "It would mean a lot for us to win since this is such a big tournament to play in each year."

In Division II, Fayetteville State University in N.C., leads Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., by 27-strokes. The Broncos are seeking their fourth consecutive title. Morehouse College in Atlanta is another stroke back.

Joel Lynn, from Sanford, N.C., continues to lead the Broncos after 36-holes following his second consecutive 5-under-par 67. He did not record a bogey through the first 16 holes, but was forced to take an unplayable lie when he drove the ball well right on No. 17.

"It was smooth sailing through 16 holes and then I had a little mishap," said Lynn, who carded a double-bogey on the hole. "I lost my focus for one hole, but that happens."

Lynn knows his experience on the Ryder Course has played a huge role in his success this year.

"I just feel really comfortable on this course. The whole team does," said Lynn, who is competing in his third Championship. "We have to come out and play well tomorrow and finish strong like we have in the past."

Defending Champion Sara Young of Florida State University leads the independent women's division after firing a second-round 75. She holds a three-stroke lead over first round leader Etivise Latu from California State University, Monterey Bay, who carded a second-round 80.

"I had a great mental focus today and I did not sweat the small stuff that happened during my round," said Young, who is competing in her third Championship. "I had a birdie on the final hole which really capped off my day."

Young knows that defending her second title will not come easy.

"I need to focus only on what I can do and keep my stress level down," said Young. "If I can shoot around the same score as I did today, I will have a chance to win."

In the independent men's division, Dustin Thompson from the University of North Carolina extended his lead after 36-holes to four-strokes, after firing a second-round 73. He leads Christian Heavens of Georgetown (Ky.) College, who is alone second place.

"There have been a few times over the last few days where I could have folded, but I have had a good mental game," said Thompson, who is competing in his fourth championship. "I want to end this year with a bang and give my mother a good mother's day gift."

Edward Waters College, the only team competing in the NAIA division, carded a second-round total of 339. The Tigers are led by Alex Moscinski of Evenston, Wyo., and Kipp Jones of Greenville, Wyo., who both have a two-day total of 159.

Nearly 150 contestants from more than 30 colleges and universities have comprised the field for the 2009 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.

About the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship

The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship originated from a meeting in November 1986 following the Jackson State University Golf Tournament. The late Dr. Herschel Cochrane, Dr. Joe D. Saunders of the National Negro Golf Association, Jackson State University Golf Coach Eddie Payton, Rose Harper-Elder of the Sports Management Institute and William (Bill) Dickey founder of the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association and the 1999 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner, are credited as the founders of this Championship.

The goal was to elevate the game of golf in minority colleges and universities by giving them a chance to compete in a championship because of being denied opportunities to compete in NCAA Collegiate Golf events. The first Championship was conducted in the spring of 1987 at Highland Park Golf Course in Cleveland, Ohio. Since 1998, The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., has been host to the Championship.

In 2006, The PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management of the championship by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund.

In 1990, a Career Fair was conducted for the first time in conjunction with the Championship to provide corporate sponsors the opportunity to interview and recruit outstanding college students for future employment. As a result, the Career Fair has developed into an invaluable resource to assist students in gaining internships and full-time positions within the golf industry.

Also, State Farm Insurance has extended its sponsorship to support the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship through 2010. The State Farm sponsorship provides funding of a one-hour Championship highlight program on Golf Channel. Students from participating schools in the 2008 Championship can apply to receive scholarship awards from State Farm Insurance for their academic excellence at their respective institutions.

About The PGA of America

Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.