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 first postseason appearance for the Red Storm mens golf program under sixth-year head coach Frank Darby.

The Red Storm will join 26 other schools at the NCAA East Regional, which will be hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, Virginia from Thursday, May 17 to Saturday, May 19.

St. Johns will be joined by the University of Rhode Island, Hartford (the American East champion), Yale, Penn State, Richmond, Seton Hall, Georgia Tech (ACC champion), Clemson, North Carolina State, ETSU, Virginia Tech (BIG EAST champion), Duke, Georgia (SEC champion), Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, LSU, UAB, Georgia Southern, Georgia State (TAAC champion), VCU (CAA champion), Charleston Southern (Big South champion), Xavier (A-10 champion), Princeton (Ivy champion), Iona (MAAC champion) and UMBC.

"This is a great honor for the kids," Darby said. "We've worked really hard this year and I think we're playing very well right now. It's going to be a great field down there, but I'm really confident we finish among those top 10 teams and reach the ultimate goal."

The top 10 teams from each regional will advance to this years NCAA Championship, to be held at the Duke Golf Club from May 30 to June 2. 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 second place at the BIG EAST Championship. St. Johns is ranked second in District 2 in the MasterCard Collegiate Rankings.

During the Fall, St. Johns won three titles and had four top-five finishes in seven tournaments. The team won the James Madison Invitational, The McLaughlin and the Temple Owl Invitational.

Sophomore Andrew Svoboda (Harrison, N.Y./Harrison), who is ranked 69th nationally by GolfStat, has led the Red Storm this season. Through 30 rounds of play this year, Svoboda has posted a 72.84 stroke average, which ranks among the top-75 in the country. Svoboda is one of only two BIG EAST golfers ranked among the top-100, just five spots behind Brian Krusoe of nationally-ranked Virginia Tech. Svoboda, who was named District II golfer of the Month in October after winning two events, has had a spectacular season for St. Johns. He has seven top-five finishes this year in 11 events, highlighted by wins at the James Madison Invitational (one-under par 141) and the Temple Owl Invitational (one-under par 141). In addition, he finished in second place in three different events.

Joining him has been sophomore classmate Jesse Fitzgerald (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville), who is second on the team with a 73.34 stroke average. Fitzgerald is carrying a 73.11 stroke average in 19 rounds this spring and has five top-five finishes this year. He posted a three-under par 139 to win The McLaughlin during the Fall and came back during the Spring to fire a six-under par 138 and take top honors at the Liberty Ramada Classic.