JAMAICA, N.Y. -- The St. Johns University mens golf team was one of 81 teams selected to participate in the NCAA Regionals, it was announced today by the NCAA Golf Committee. It is the second postseason appearance for the Red Storm mens golf program under seventh-year head coach Frank Darby.

The Red Storm will join 26 other schools at the NCAA Central Regional, which will be hosted by the University of Arkansas Little Rock at the Pleasant Valley Golf Course in Little Rock, Arkansas from Thursday, May 16 to Saturday, May 18.

St. Johns is seeded 23rd and will be joined by TCU, North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, Virginia Tech (BIG EAST Champion), University of Oklahoma, Toledo (MAC Champions), Purdue, Lamar (Southland Conference Champions), Baylor, University of Alabama, LSU, Tulsa (WAC Champions), University of Kansas, SMU, University of Illinois, University of Houston, University of Missouri, University of Colorado, University of Texas at Arlington, Northwestern, Arkansas State, University of Maryland, Austin Peay (Ohio Valley Champions), Princeton (Ivy League Champion), Army (Patriot Champion), and Jackson Sate.

The top 10 teams from each regional will advance to this years NCAA Championship, to be held at the Ohio State Universitys Scarlet Course on May29-June 1. The top two individuals not among the top-10 teams will also qualify as individuals.

The Red Storm enjoyed one of the best years in school history, winning three team championships and posting nine top-five finishes, including a third place at the BIG EAST Championship. St. Johns is ranked third in District 2 by golfweek.com.

During the fall, St. Johns won one title and had three top-five finishes in five tournaments. The teams only victory came at the James Madison Classic. The Red Storm would add two more victories in the spring, winning the Treasure Coast World Trade Center Heroes Classic and the Anteater Invitational. St. Johns would record seven top-five finishes in eight tournaments to close out the spring season.

St. Johns is led by junior Andrew Svoboda (Stamford, Conn.), who ranks first on the team in stroke average (72.93), percentage of rounds counted (100%), average strokes off the lead (3.0), even or under par rounds (14) and top-five finishes (5). Svoboda earned a victory at the McLaughlin, a first place tie at the Anteater Invitational, and a second place finish at the Princeton Classic and BIG EAST Championship.

Joining him has been senior classmate Jesse Fitzgerald (Sayville, N.Y.), who is second on the team in stroke average (74.00), average strokes off the lead (4.0) and even or under par rounds (8). He has posted three top-five finishes, with his best finish coming at the Anteater Invitational when he tied for first place. Fitzgerald earned third place finishes at the Treasure Coast World Trade Center Heroes Classic and the Liberty Ramada Classic.