For Immediate Release: Monday, 26 May 2003
Contact: Dave Geringer, UTPA Director of Athletic Media Relations, (956) 381-2240

THREE UTPA GOLFERS RECEIVE ALL-INDEPENDENT HONORS

EDINBURG, TX-Three members of The University of Texas-Pan American's golf teams have been honored.

Rudy Celedon of the Broncs and Stefanie Maynard and Daniela Cortes of the Lady Broncs were named second team All-Independent for the 2003 season. The awards were voted on by the head golf coaches and sports information directors at independent schools.

A junior from Edinburg, Texas and Edinburg North High School, Celedon led the Broncs with a 75.7 stroke average this season. He shot rounds of 69 three times-once at the Moe O'Brien Invitational, and twice at the National Minority Golf Championships-and those were the Broncs' best rounds of the season. He led Texas-Pan American in five of ten tournaments, and was second on the team in three others. Celedon's best finishes included a tie for fourth at the Moe O'Brien Invitational, and a tie for sixth at the National Minority Golf Championships, after he led the field after the first two rounds.

"I think it's fantastic that Rudy made the second team," said UTPA Men's Head Coach Mark Gaynor. "This gives him something to build on for next year. He elevated his game this past season, and, hopefully, his game will continue to get better."

A freshman from Pflugerville, Texas and Pflugerville High School, Maynard was the medalist at two tournaments. She won the individual championship at the Bronc Intercollegiate Classic with a score of 229, and finished first at the National Minority Golf Championships with a score of 227. Her first championship was the first title for a Lady Bronc golfer since 2000, and her low round of 72 at the UTPA event was her best, the team's best, and one of the best ever by a Texas-Pan American women's golfer. She led the team with a stroke average of 79.3, and was named UTPA's Female Newcomer of the Year.

Cortes is a freshman from Aguascalientes, Mexico and Colegio Portugal. She ranked second among Lady Broncs with a stroke average of 80.8. Cortes tied for 10th at the Northern Illinois Huskie Classic, tied for fifth at the Bronc Intercollegiate Classic, and finished seventh at the National Minority Golf Championships. She led the Lady Broncs in three tournaments, and was first or second in all but one tournament.

"I was glad to see both Stefanie and Daniella honored," said UTPA Women's Head Coach Barb Odale. "It shows that our program has taken a step forward, and it's a good building block for us, since two freshmen were honored. Hopefully, we'll continue to get better, and earn more such honors in the future."

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