Garcia Shines at Jim West Challenge with Runner-Up Finish

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The New Mexico women’s golf team concluded its fall schedule on Monday with the final round of the Jim West Challenge at Kissing Tree Golf Club. The Lobos shot 2-under during the final round to finish the event in eighth place at 2-over.

TCU won the team title at 22-under, one shot ahead of Houston (21-under) and two shots ahead of Oklahoma (20-under).

Freshman Maria Garcia capped another strong performance, shooting a final round 4-under 68 to finish as runner-up individually at 9-under. Her 207 total is a UNM freshman record and one shot off the overall 54-hole school record. It was her third top-five finish over the first four stroke play events of the season.

Fellow freshman Chelsea Truong also had a strong event, shooting a final round 74 to finish the event at 2-over. Annie Saechueng finished at 4-over, while Rebecca Galasso and Maria Caparros Levin both finished on 10-over. Galasso finished the tournament with a final round 2-under 70, tying her collegiate low round.

“Maria is so close to a win,” said head coach Jill Trujillo. “She had an incredible tournament to cap off a great fall season. All of them hung in there today and played tough. I am proud of them.”

The Lobos will begin their spring schedule Feb. 10-11 with a trip to California for the San Diego State Classic.