For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 8, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS TIE FOR EIGHTH AT DIET PEPSI SHOCKER CLASSIC

WICHITA, KS-The University of Texas-Pan American men's golf team tied for eighth at the 12-team Diet Pepsi Shocker Classic at the Reflection Ridge Golf Course.

The Broncs shot a final-round score of 315, for a total of 928, leaving them tied with New Mexico State. Host Wichita State finished first with a score of 879, followed by Oklahoma City at 900, Louisiana-Monroe at 910, Missouri-Kansas City at 919, Stephen F. Austin at 920, Drake at 921, and Air Force at 922. Following Texas-Pan American were Army at 937, Louisiana Tech at 953, and Evansville at 957.

Junior Ben Piper (Lubbock, TX/Coronado HS) led the Broncs, shooting a final-round score of 77 for a 54-hole total of 225. He tied for 12th place. Junior Rudy Celedon (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) shot a final-round score of 73 for 229 and a tie for 20th, freshman Craig Berger (Wetaskiwin, AB/Wetaskiwin Composite HS) shot an 82 for 235 and a tie for 37th, shot 78 and 78 for 156 and is tied for 35th, junior John Huerta (Alice, TX/Alice HS) shot an 83 for 239 and a tie for 47th, and junior Paul Manganilla (Carrollton, TX/Newman Smith HS/Navarro College) shot an 83 for 254 and finished 64th.

The Broncs will return to action when they defend their title at the National Minority Golf Championships at Port St. Lucie, FL May 2-4.

MG-21-03040803

UTPA RESULTS

Ben Piper, 73-75-77-225, tie for 12th
Rudy Celedon, 78-78-73-229, tie for 20th
Craig Berger, 77-76-82-235, tie for 37th
John Huerta, 80-76-73-239, tie for 47th
Paul Manganilla, 90-81-83-254, 64th