For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 9, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS FINISH 12TH AT FAIRWAY CLUB INVITATIONAL

LINCOLN, NE- The University of Texas-Pan American's men's golf team finished 12th at the 14-team Fairway Club Invitational at the Firethorn Golf Course.

The Broncs shot a second-round score of 308, and finished with a 36-hole score of 614, which placed them five strokes behind 11th-place Troy State. The first two rounds were played Monday, and Tuesday's third and final round was rained out.

Iowa State finished first with a team score of 581, followed by Illinois State and Akron at 587, Oklahoma City at 588, Southwest Missouri State at 590, host Nebraska at 592, Northern Iowa at 597, Drake at 598, Army at 606 and Wyoming. Following the Broncs were Loyola Marymount at 636, and Creighton at 638.

Senior John Huerta (Alice, TX/Alice HS) led the Broncs, shooting a second-round score of 75, good for a 36-hole score of 152 and a tie for 34th. Seniors Rudy Celedon (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) and Ben Piper (Lubbock, TX/Coronado HS) tied for 39th. Celedon shot a second-round score of 77, and Piper shot a 78, and both finished at 153. Sophomore Craig Berger (Wetaskiwin, AB/Wetaskiwin HS) shot a 78 for 156 and tied for 49th, while freshman Colin Norris (Calgary, AB/Cochrane HS) shot a 79 for 157 and tied for 56th.

"It was disappointing that the weather forced us out, because we were looking forward to redeeming ourselves on the third round," said UTPA Head Coach Drew Scott. "We left a lot of shots on the golf course."

The Broncs will return to action at the Carolina First Intercollegiate Tournament in Florence, South Carolina in two weeks.

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INDIVIDUAL RESULTS

John Huerta 77-75-152, T 34
Rudy Celedon 76-77-153, T 39
Ben Piper 75-78-153, T 39
Craig Berger 78-78-156, T 49
Colin Norris 78-79-157, T 56