March 16, 2007

LAREDO - Sophomore Oliver Bekker shot a career-best 8-under par 64 in the second round to help Lamar University vault into the lead after Friday's first two rounds at the Border Olympics hosted by the University of Houston at Laredo Country Club (Par-72, 7.241-yards).

A native of Stellenbosch, South Africa, opened with a 2-over par 74 in the morning round. He followed with a blistering 8-under 64 in the afternoon and is tied for second place at 6-under 138. Justin Harding, a sophomore from Cape Town, South Africa, is also tied for second place after firing rounds of 71-67--138. Zack Reeves of Texas-Arlington holds the 36-hole lead at 7-under 69-68--137.

Lamar, who was in fourth place following an opening round of 3-under 285, shot a season-best round of 18-under 270 in the afternoon for a 36-hole total of 21-under 555. Vanderbilt is in second place, 11-strokes behind the Cardinals at 566. UTA and Houston are tied for third at 570, followed by Baylor (573) to round out the top five in the 15-team field.

Dawie Van Der Walt, a junior from Cape Town, South Africa, opened with an even-par 72 and fired a 5-under 67 in the afternoon and is tied for sixth at 5-under 139. Dusty Smith, a senior from the Woodlands, shot consecutive rounds of even-par 72 and is tied for 22nd place at 144. Casey Clendenon, a junior from Katy, opened with a 2-under 70 and followed with a 75 in the afternoon and is tied for 31st at 1-over 145.

The field will play the final 18 holes today to complete the 54-hole event.