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Once again,
AJGA alumnae came up big at the NCAA Division I Women’s
Champions, where the leaderboard was dominated by AJGA players
of yesteryear.
Starting at the top, Sarah Huarte of California captured the
crown at 10-under-par, shooting 73-69-67-69—278 over
the course of four days. During her AJGA career, Huarte picked
up a few top-five finishes, including a third-place at the
Sacramento Junior Classic in 1999. At Grand National in Opelika,
Ala., Huarte turned on the birdie machine, making 25 birdies
in 72 holes.
Tournament
champion UCLA was led by Susie Matthews, but three AJGA alumnae
played a huge part in the team victory. Charlotte Mayorkas,
Gina Umeck and Hannah Jun are former Rolex Junior All-Americans
who helped their squad to the championship. Individually,
Mayorkas placed fourth and Umeck finished 16th.
Duke,
which fielded a team of former AJGA standouts and had won
9 of 10 events this year, finished in third place. The Blue
Devils are somewhat of an AJGA all-star team, featuring Rolex
Junior Player of the Year Liz Janangelo, first-team Rolex
Junior All-Americans Leigh Anne Hardin, Virada Nirapathpongporn
and Brittany Lang, and second-team Rolex Junior All-American
Anna Grzebien.
Other teams were also led by AJGA veterans, including second-place
finisher Oklahoma State, who features AJGA alumnae Mallorie
Underwood (sixth), Annie Thurman, Candy Herrera and Ashley
Knoll.
Tennessee
placed 11th, but individually, Jessica Shepley, a former Rolex
Junior All-American, placed fifth. California finished fourth,
paced by Huarte and Irene Cho. Vanderbilt was fifth, thanks
to Sarah Jacobs’ sixth-place finish, along with the
efforts of Chris Brady, Courtney Wood and Kristen Svicarovich.
"Players
come out of the AJGA prepared for college golf,” said
Stephen Hamblin, AJGA Executive Director. “Whether they
are freshmen or seniors, we have seen their ability to stand
up to the pressure on the collegiate level. Our congratulations
go out to Sarah for her victory, and the UCLA team for their
team title.”
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