Oct. 1, 2001

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

Wyoming senior Mike Urbatchka posted a two-under par total of 142 after the first two rounds of the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate in Denver on Monday, and enters Tuesday's final round tied for eighth place in the field of 78 men's golfers.

Wyoming also had two other individuals in the Top 25 after the first 36 holes. Sophomore Mike Mezei and junior Kurt Kowaluk both shot four-over par totals of 148 to tie with five other individuals for 25th, with one round left to play on Tuesday. Wyoming's first day team score of 587 tied them with Cincinnati and Campbell University for sixth place.

Berry Henson of the University of San Diego and Erik Billinger of the University of Denver lead the individual field with six-under par totals of 138. Host Denver leads in the team competition at 565.

"The guys did a nice job in the afternoon, shooting a one-over par round of 289," said UW head men's golf coach Roger Prenzlow. "Mike Urbatchka played solid all day. Matt Brunk had a nice round in the afternoon to also give us a boost.

"We just all need to stay focused in the final round tomorrow, and I think things will come together nicely for us."

Wyoming's 289 in the afternoon round on Monday was the fourth best in the field of 15 collegiate golf teams.

The tournament is being played at the Riverdale Dunes Golf Course in Brighton, Colo.. The course measures 7,067 yards and plays to a par of 72. The 54-hole tournament will conclude on Tuesday with the final 18-hole round.

Wyoming Individual Results

Mike Urbatchka  Sr.  Sheridan Wyo.       Tie 8th  72-70=142 (-2)
Mike Mezei      So.  Lethbridge, Alberta Tie 25th 75-73=148 (+4)
Kurt Kowaluk    Jr.  Lively, Ontario     Tie 25th 75-73=148 (+4)
Jonathan Shuss  Fr.  Scottsdale, Ariz.   Tie 49th 76-76=152 (+8)
Matthew Brunk   Fr.  Fort Collins, Colo. Tie 57th 81-73=154 (+10)

Wyoming Players Competing as Individuals

Derek Pirkl     Fr.  Stoughton, Wis.     Tie 69th 80-78=158 (+14)

Final Team Standings

1.   Denver                  565
2.   San Diego               579
3.   Wichita State           580
4.   Oral Roberts            585
5.   Drake                   586
6.   Wyoming                 587
     Cincinnati              587
     Campbell                587
9.   Weber State             591
10.  Tennessee-Chattanooga   596
11.  Nebraska                600
12.  Southern Utah           604
13.  Portland State          606
14.  Utah State              614
15.  Idaho State             620