June 9, 2009

DAYTON, Ohio - University of Maryland rising sophomore John Popeck tied for 38th in a U.S. Open sectional qualifying event played Tuesday at the NCR Country Club.

Popeck, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection as a freshman for the Terrapins, shot rounds of 77 and 69 for a 146 total. Four players earned berths to the upcoming U.S. Open from the Dayton sectional, led by Cortland Lowe, who had rounds of 62-68--130 to lead the field. The cutoff for the four berths was 136.

In what's been an eventful summer for Popeck, he recently placed second in a Western Pennsylvania Golf Association tournament played in Farmington, Pa.

Popeck shot even-par 72 at the Mystic Rock Golf Course at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, finishing one stroke behind Robert Rohanna in a 43-player event.