Chris Seibel (L) of Tennessee State, Armen Kirakossian (C) of Texas-Pan American, and Dan Venema (R) of Bethune-Cookman shooks hands after completing the first round on Friday. (Pritchard/The PGA of America)

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Under pristine conditions, Armen Kirakossian from the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, fired a bogey-free 5-under-par 67 on Friday to grab the lead after the first round in the Division I men's individual standings at the 23rd PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.

The junior from Portland, Ore., carded three birdies and an eagle, which came at the par-5 13th hole.

"I really drove the ball well today, which was key. But I know I still left a lot out there," said Kirakossian, who hit 16 greens in regulation. "I did stay patient and made the short putts that were in front of me."

Kirakossian, who was a member of the Texas-Pan American team that won the division title in 2007, knows it will not be an easy task to repeat that performance.

"We have been struggling as a team this year," said Kirakossian. "We are looking to turn our games around and come out with a victory on Sunday. It should be a great weekend."

Bethune-Cookman University of Daytona Beach, Fla., has the overall lead in the Division I men's team standings by one stroke over Tennessee State University. Texas-Pan American sits four strokes off the pace.

In Division II, Fayetteville State University of North Carolina leads Lincoln University of Jefferson City, Mo., by 18 strokes after firing a first round 8-under-par 280. The Broncos are seeking their fourth consecutive title.

Joel Lynn, a junior from Sanford, N.C., led the Broncos through 18-holes after shooting a 5-under-par 67.

"I hit the ball great and very close all today and I am happy with my round even though I really did not make any putts," said Lynn, who is competing in his third Championship. "As a team we are trying to score as low as we can. We have had a rough few weeks but we are all feeling great and looking to win our fourth in a row."

Edward Waters College, the only team competing in the NAIA division, fired an opening-round 324. The team was led by Alex Moscinski of Jacksonville, Fla., who carded a 76.

In the women's division, Texas-Pan-American carded an opening 307 and holds an eight-stroke lead over Bethune-Cookman, the three-time defending champion in the division.

Majo Camey from Texas-Pan American recorded the low-round for the women's division with a 71. She leads teammate Haley Hocott by three strokes.

"I really want to help my team win, that is the main goal," said Camey, a freshman. "We were able to win our conference so we wanted to cap off this year with a win at this tournament."

Camey knows it will not be easy to defeat the defending champions.

"We know that they are good, we compete against them hard every year," said Camey. "We just have to make sure to trust each other and play with a great deal of confidence on every hole we play."

Etivise Latu from California State University, Monterey Bay, holds a two-shot lead over defending champion Sara Young of Florida State University in the independent women's division after carding an opening-round 76.

"I had a great time out there on the course and I stayed consistent off the tee," said Latu, a senior from East Palo Alto, Calif. "I am very excited to try and win this Championship but have to just think about my round tomorrow and just really stay in the present."

Young, who is competing in her final Championship, is excited to defend her title but knows she must play better over the weekend.

"I played really well on the front, but on the back the putts kept lipping out and I went on a bogey run," said Young. "I went on a little bogey run on the back and I have to change that tomorrow."

In the independent men's division, Dustin Thompson from the University of North Carolina holds the 18-hole lead after an opening-round 72. He leads Amit Odaiyar of Florida Atlantic University and Christian Heavens of Georgetown College by one stroke.

Nearly 150 contestants from more than 30 colleges and universities have comprised the field for the 2008 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship.

About the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship
The PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship originated from a meeting in November 1986 following the Jackson State University Golf Tournament. The late Dr. Herschel Cochrane, Dr. Joe D. Saunders of the National Negro Golf Association, Jackson State University Golf Coach Eddie Payton, Rose Harper-Elder of the Sports Management Institute and William (Bill) Dickey founder of the Bill Dickey Scholarship Association and the 1999 PGA Distinguished Service Award winner, are credited as the founders of this Championship.

The goal was to elevate the game of golf in minority colleges and universities by giving them a chance to compete in a championship because of being denied opportunities to compete in NCAA Collegiate Golf events. The first Championship was conducted in the spring of 1987 at Highland Park Golf Course in Cleveland, Ohio. Since 1998, The PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla., has been host to the Championship.

In 2006, The PGA of America was granted complete ownership and management of the championship by the National Minority Collegiate Golf Scholarship Fund.

In 1990, a Career Fair was conducted for the first time in conjunction with the Championship to provide corporate sponsors the opportunity to interview and recruit outstanding college students for future employment. As a result, the Career Fair has developed into an invaluable resource to assist students in gaining internships and full-time positions within the golf industry.

Also, State Farm Insurance has extended its sponsorship to support the PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship through 2010. The State Farm sponsorship provides funding of a one-hour Championship highlight program on Golf Channel. Students from participating schools in the 2008 Championship can apply to receive scholarship awards from State Farm Insurance for their academic excellence at their respective institutions.

About The PGA of America
Since 1916, The PGA of America's mission has been twofold: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.

By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, the Association enables PGA Professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in the multi-billion dollar golf industry.

By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable golf promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.