For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Sports Information Director, (956) 381-2240

BRONCS 12TH AT FIRST RELIANCE INTERCOLLEGIATE

FLORENCE, SC-The University of Texas-Pan American's men's golf team finished 12th at the 14-team First Reliance Intercollegiate Classic, hosted by Francis Marion University at the Country Club of South Carolina.

The Broncs shot a final-round score of 300 for a 54-hole total of 911, leaving them two strokes behind Francis Marion.

Jacksonville State won the tournament in a playoff with a 54-hole score of 873. JSU was followed by Southern Mississippi, also at 873, South Alabama at 874, UNC Charlotte at 875, Tulane at 877, South Florida at 878, East Carolina at 884, Coastal Carolina at 889, and Old Dominion and Campbell at 891.

Senior Rudy Celedon (Edinburg, TX/Edinburg North HS) led the Broncs with a final-round score of 76 for a 54-hole total of 224 and a tie for 35th place. Freshman Colin Norris (Calgary, AB/Cochrane HS) shot 72 for 225 and tied for 37th, sophomore Craig Berger (Wetaskiwin, AB/Wetaskiwin HS) shot 76 for 229 and tied for 53rd, senior Paul Manganilla (Carrollton, TX/ Carrollton HS/Navarro College) shot 76 for 233 and a tie for 62nd, while senior Ben Piper (Lubbock, TX/Coronado HS) shot 92 for 259 and finished 73rd.

"We played better today, but just not as well as we wanted to," said UTPA Head Coach Drew Scott. "It was a good way to finish the tournament. We came on over the last two rounds, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do about district competition at our next two tournaments."

The Broncs will return to action at Louisiana-Monroe next weekend.

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UTPA RESULTS

Rudy Celedon 73-75-76-224
Colin Norris 80-73-72-225
Craig Berger 78-75-76-229
Paul Manganilla 79-78-76-233
Ben Piper 85-82-92-259