April 3, 2007

WICHITA, Kan. - Freshman duo Bobby Massa and Michael van de Venter fired identical one-over-par rounds of 72 in both the morning and afternoon rounds to share the lead with four other golfers and give UT Arlington an eight -stroke lead after the opening day of the 2007 Diet Pepsi Shocker Classic Tournament here Monday.

Final round place begins with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. at the par-71, Wichita Country Club.

Another freshman on the Mavericks squad - Bryce Easton - set the tone in the morning round with a three-under-par 68 as the Mavs led after the first 18 holes with a three-over-par 287. He played the second round in seven-over-par 78 for a two round total of 146, two strokes behind the leaders.

Junior Zack Reeves had a 75 and 71 to join Easton tied for ninth place.

Redshirt freshman Kevin Varrichio finished the first day at 156 (79, 77).

Kansas State (587) trails the Mavericks. NAIA power Oklahoma City is third at 589. Southland Conference foe Sam Houston State (591) and host Wichita State (595) round out the top five. Colorado (599), Northeastern (601), Oklahoma Christian (601), Nebraska (602), Drake (607), Texas-San Antonio (610), Stephen F. Austin (614), Iowa State (614), Arkansas (616), Rice (616) and Evansville (642) complete the 16-team field.

UTA will end the regular season at the SLC Championship, April 16-18, at Comanche Trace Golf Club in Kerrville, Texas.