September 17, 2007
DUNCAN, Okla. – Freshman Matt Vela fired a one-over par 71 to rank fourth overall and lead St. Mary’s University to a sixth place finish in the team standings after the first round of play at The Territory Classic Monday in men’s golf action.
Vela (Fr., San Antonio) fired an even par 35 on the front nine, then followed that up with a one-over 36 on the back nine. Vela finished fifth overall in his first collegiate tournament last week in Abilene. He is just two strokes out of first place after the first round, with Jarred Carlyle of Arkansas Tech University and Brent Cole of the University of Central Oklahoma tied for first with one-under par 69s. Mitch Hendon of Texas Wesleyan is in third with an even-par 70.
James Grant (So., San Antonio) is in 16th place after the first round with a 74, Jimmy Willingham (Sr., San Antonio) is 26th with a 75, Alex Maurer (Jr., St. Louis, Mo.) is 34th with a 76 and Preston Akromis (Jr. San Antonio) is 71st with an 84.
Texas Wesleyan University is in first place overall with a score of 288. Arkansas Tech University is one stroke back at 289, while Abilene Christian University and the University of Central Oklahoma are tied for third with identical 293s. St. Mary’s is in sixth place with a 296.
The final round of The Territory Classic will be played at The Territory Golf Club on Tuesday afternoon.
The Territory Classic
The Territory Golf Club, Duncan, Okla.
Team Standings: 1. Texas Wesleyan 288, 2. Arkansas Tech 289, 3. Abilene Christian 293, Central Oklahoma 293, 5. Southeastern Oklahoma State 295, 6. St. Mary’s 296, 7. Cameron 298, 8. Delta State 302, Dallas Baptist 302, 10. Midwestern State 305, 11. Southwestern Oklahoma State 306, 12. St. Edward’s 310, 13. Texas A&M-Commerce 312, 14. West Texas A&M.
Individual Standings: 1. Jarred Carlyle (ATU) 69, Brent Cole (UCO) 69, 3. Mitch Hendon 70, 4. Matt Vela (St. Mary’s), Kevin Doskocil (TWU), Scott Genoway (ATU).