BEND -- BYU's women's golf team got off to a good start and is in third place after the first round of the Mountain West Conference Championship on Thursday.

After a four-hour snow delay and a change of venue due to weather conditions, UNLV leads after the first round of the 2003 Mountain West Conference Women's Golf Championship played at Awbrey Glen Golf Club (Par 72/6,110) in Bend, Ore. The Rebels have a four-shot lead over second place Colorado State who finished with an 18-hole total of 309. BYU is currently third at 314, followed by New Mexico (316), San Diego State (321) and Wyoming (335).

Needing a good showing to qualify for the NCAA West Regional, the Cougars stepped up their play with a solid first round. BYU was led by true freshman Symantha Mendenhall and Danielle Von Arnim. Both finished the day five-over and tied for sixth place. All five Cougars are among the top 20 individuals with sophomores Margaret Gibby and Natalie Newren tied for 17th at eigth-over. Another true freshman Catalina Guacaneme is one shot back at nine-over par and in 19th place.

The Cougars hold a two shot lead over 12th-ranked and three-time defending MWC Champions New Mexico. The Cougars, who have finished fourth at the MWC Championship the past two years trail second-place Colorado State by just five shots.

The second round begins Friday morning and the final round will be held Saturday.

FIRST ROUND SCORES
Fin.   Top 20 Teams             Scores
1   UNLV                     305
2   Colorado State Univ.     309
3   Brigham Young Univ.      314
4   New Mexico, U. of        316
5   San Diego State Univ     321
6   Wyoming, U. of           335 
Fin.    Top 20 Players         School       Scores
1    Sunny Oh               UNLV          38- 35     73
2    Katrina Leckovic       New Mexico    37- 37     74
3    Lynette Duran          Col. St.      36- 40     76
     Sandy Kim              S.Diego St    36- 40     76
     Hwanhee Lee            UNLV          39- 37     76
6    Mayumi Motoyama        Col. St.      38- 39     77
     Symantha Mendenhall    BYU           37- 40     77
     Danielle von Arnim     BYU           39- 38     77
     Stephanie Linnell      Col. St.      40- 37     77
10   Erin Borcherts         UNLV          42- 36     78
     Christine Hentzner     UNLV          38- 40     78
12   Kailin Downs           New Mexico    40- 39     79
     Shayna Miyajima        S.Diego St    41- 38     79
     Shala Hanson           Wyoming       39- 40     79
     Trisha Quick           Col. St.      39- 40     79
     Elena Kurokawa         UNLV          38- 41     79
17   Margaret Gibby         BYU           37- 43     80
     Natalie Newren         BYU           40- 40     80
19   Catalina Guacaneme     BYU           40- 41     81
     Kellyn Newman          New Mexico    41- 40     81