For Immediate Release: February 19, 2002
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations (956) 381-2240

BRONCS FINISH TENTH AT SWTSU

VICTORIA, TX –The University of Texas-Pan American’s men’s golf team finished 10th at the Udamon Southwest Classic, which was hosted by Southwest Texas State University and concluded Tuesday at the Victoria Country Club.

The Broncs’ 54-hole total of 925 placed them three strokes behind Stephen F. Austin and three shots ahead of Iowa State. UTPA shot an 18-hole score of 312 on the final day of play Tuesday.

Baylor won the tournament with a score of 885, followed by Texas-San Antonio at 896, Wichita State at 898, New Mexico State at 899, Oral Roberts at 903, Louisiana Tech at 913, Southwest Texas State at 914 and Rice at 916.

Freshman John Huerta (Alice, TX/Alice HS) led the Broncs, shooting a 78 Tuesday for a 54-hole total of 231, tying him for 32^nd place. Senior Santiago DeLarrea (Sao Paulo, Brazil) shot an 80 Tuesday and 232 for the tournament and tied for 37^th. Sophomore Rudy Celedon (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) and senior Ricky Benavides (Brownsville, TX/UT-Brownsville) tied for 42nd at 234. Celedon shot an 83 Tuesday, Benavides shot a 77. Sophomore Ben Piper (Lubbock, TX/Coronado HS) tied for 52^nd after shooting a 77, and a 238 for three rounds.

The Broncs will return to action March 3^rd at McNeese State.

UTPA SCORES

John Huerta                                          77-76-78-231, tied for 32^nd
Santiago DeLarrea                                  76-76-80-232, tied for 37^th
Rudy Celedon                                      73-78-83-234, tied for 42^nd
Ricky Benavides                                 79-78-77-234, tied for 42^nd
Ben Piper                                             81-80-77-238, tied for 52nd

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