For Immediate Release: Monday, September 22, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS TIED FOR 13TH AFTER FIRST DAY AT FIRST RELIANCE INTERCOLLEGIATE

FLORENCE, SC-The University of Texas-Pan American's men's golf team is tied for 13th after the first day of action at the 14-team First Reliance Intercollegiate Classic, hosted by Francis Marion University at the Country Club of South Carolina.

The Broncs shot scores of 310 and 301 for a 36-hole total of 611, leaving them tied with Virginia Commonwealth.

Jacksonville State leads the tournament with a two-round score of 577. JSU is followed by UNC-Charlotte at 581, East Carolina and Tulane at 582, Southern Mississippi and South Alabama at 585, South Florida at 588, Coastal Carolina at 590, Old Dominion and Campbell at 593, Georgia College at 599, and the host Patriots at 606.

Senior Rudy Celedon (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) led the Broncs with scores of 73 and 75 for a total of 148 and a tie for 23rd place. Sophomore Craig Berger (Wetaskiwin, AB/Wetaskiwin HS) shot 78 and 75, while freshman Colin Norris (Calgary, AB/Cochrane HS) shot 80 and 73, and both totaled 153 and are tied for 55th place. Senior Paul Manganilla (Carrollton, TX/ Carrollton HS/Navarro College) shot 79 and 78 for 157 and a tie for 66th, while senior Ben Piper (Lubbock, TX/Coronado HS) shot 85 and 82 for 167 and is 73rd.

"We played a little bit better in the second round," said UTPA Head Coach Drew Scott. "Colin played well, he was one under par going into the last six holes and he finished one over. Rudy was solid. If we can sustain our momentum the through the entire round, we'll do really well."

The two-day tournament will conclude Tuesday.

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