Nov. 12, 2009

EDINBURG,TX--The University of Texas-Pan American men's golf freshman class is currently ranked 25th in the country in Golfstat's Top 25 Freshman Class Impact Rankings.

Golfstat determines this ranking by three categories: freshmen in the top-5, relative strength, and average score. The ranking attempts to measure the contributions of freshmen to the team's overall success. UTPA, had two freshmen, Kevin Kirakossian (Tualatin, OR/Tualatin H.S.) and Brandon Reyna (Mission, TX/Sharyland H.S.), who were in UTPA's lineup for all four tournaments this fall season. Kirakossian and Reyna are averaging a combined 74.3 stroke average per round.

"Both Coach Larrea and I are proud of our guys this year. They've worked extremely hard and they've played well. They stepped onto the golf course wanting to be true leaders; they wanted to help this team get better," said Director of Men's and Women's Golf, Ofelia Lopez.

"With Armen (Kevin's brother) being on the team, he's pushing his brother to where he's going to do good things here. Brandon was a great caliber high school player. He had options to sign with anyone and he chose UTPA because wanted to go where he could leave his mark as a player and where he could help his team succeed," added Lopez.

Kirakossian's recorded his lowest round, 69 and placed 4th at the Elkins Lake Invitational tournament hosted by Sam Houston State. Reyna recorded his lowest round at the Husky Invitational hosted by Houston Baptist University where he fired a 71 and placed 7th.

"We are very proud that Golfstat has recognized the quality of our program. Our freshman had opportunities to go to other schools and they chose UTPA because they believe in our program and the direction we are headed. We look forward as a program, to continue to recruit this caliber of players," said Assistant Men's Golf Coach, Santiago Larrea.