April 25, 2005

KINGWOOD, Texas - Senior Jordan Krantz fired an opening round 69 to share the lead with two others and helped UTA fire a one-over-par 289 to sit in second place behind Lamar after Day 1 of the 2005 Southland Conference Men's Golf Championships at the Kingwood Forest G.C. here Monday.

Krantz, who has recorded four Top 10 finishes this season, took advantage of rainy conditions to fire a three-under-par 33 on the front nine of the par-72, 7,058-yard course. He is tied with Stephen's Austin Trevor Sauntry and Dustin Byrd for top honors.

Junior Tyrone Mordt is tied for fifth at one-under-par with a 71 on opening day.

"I think we are in good position, but if we are going to win we need to save more shots," said UTA head coach Jay Rees. "If we can go out tomorrow and get some momentum we have got a chance. I was real proud of Jordan and Tyrone being able to put together under-round scores and put us in contention."

Freshman Zack Reeves carded back-to-back 37s for a 74. Jeff Murray carded a bogey and double bogey on the last five holes to finish at 75. Marc Campbell rebounded from a 40 on the front nine with a 36 for a 76.

Here are the results after the opening day of the 2005 Southland Conference Men's Golf Championships played at the par-72, 7,058-yard Kingwood Forest G.C. here.

Team standings: Lamar 288, UTA 289, (tie) SE Louisiana and Stephen F. Austin 293, McNeese State 295, (tie) Texas State and Louisiana-Monroe 297, Texas-San Antonio 303, Sam, Houston State 304, Nicholls State 325.

Individuals: Jordan Krantz, UTA, Trevor Sauntry, SFA and Dustin Byrd, SFA 69; Tim Kunick, La.-Monroe 70; Tyrone Mordt, UTA, Dawie VanDerWalt, Lamar, Casey Russell, ULM, Shawn Stefanie, Lamar and Peter O'Keefe, SLU 71.

Other UTA results: Zack Reeves 74, Jeff Murray 75, Marc Campbell 76.