Hurricanes Announce Three Signees
Nov. 18, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Hurricanes golf team has announced the completion of their fall signing class highlighted by three additions to the team: Christina Ocampo, Laura Riehle and Laura Hendee.
“I think we have some very good student-athletes coming in,” Head Coach Patti Rizzo said. “They still have room for improvement, but they have very good fundamentals and a very good mental game. We are excited to see them grown during their collegiate careers and each has very good potential.
“All three have a lot of desire to become great players and are extremely excited to be attending the University of Miami. These three are the best players in Florida and I’m sure they are looking to be the best collegiately and nationally and have a professional career.”
Christina Ocampo, who played under Paulette Riedel at Spanish River High School in Boca Raton, Fla., is coming off her second consecutive state championship. Ocampo, selected MVP of her team, was team captain for the last three years. In 2009, she finished fourth in the state championship and was named All-Area Player of the Year by the Palm Beach Post. Recently, Ocampo won three tournaments while playing in the FCWT Junior Golf Tour and placed thirteenth in the Girls National Championship.
“Cleary Christina knows what it takes to be a champion after winning states the last two years,” said Rizzo. “She has a great mental game. She would like to get some more distance in her swing, but she has a very solid short game and she is someone you can really rely on.”
Laura Riehle was coached by Michael Tai and attended Saddlebrook Preparatory High School in Wesley Chapel, Fla. Riehle was named to the All-County First Team in 2010, and was named Player of the Year. In 2009, she won Player of the Year along with an award as most improved player on the team. In 2008, Riehle took home team awards for hardest worker and most improved.
“We’re just really learning about Laura, she’s really improved in the last year,” Rizzo said. “She was very interested in coming to the University of Miami and we felt that someone who really wanted to come in and have the motivation to compete is almost like getting a gift. She comes from a very prominent golfing family. I think she is going to be a really nice surprise and we’re thrilled to have her.”
Laura Hendee attended Plant High School in Tampa, Fla., and was coached by Vernon Korhn. Hendee was named Team MVP and was selected to the All-County First Team in 2009, 2010, and 2011. She has been named to the All-Conference team the past three years, and finished second in the state championship only behind fellow signee Christina Ocampo. Hendee was a district medalist in 2011 and a regional medalist in 2010 and 2011. A team captain, Hendee was the recipient of the Marion Miley Award.
“I was very impressed with her ability, mental game and emotional control,” said Rizzo. “She’s extremely mature for her age and is very smart. She’s very dedicated and has a beautiful swing. When she wants to do something, she goes 110% and she has a lot of talent. We really expect a lot of big things out of her over the next couple of years.”
The three signees will fill the spots of graduating seniors Jennifer Hirano, Patricia Arana and Diana Fisher.
The University of Miami golf team resumes play in Feb. 2012 with the UCF Challenge at the RedTail Golf Club in Sorrento, Fla.
