Senior Hirano Leads the Canes to a Top 10 Finish
March 20, 2012
Final Team Results
Final Individual Results
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami women’s golf senior Jennifer Hirano carded a 36-hole total of 1-over-par 74-71–145 to finish third and lead the Hurricanes in the Battle at Rancho Bernardo Inn Tuesday afternoon in San Diego, Calif. As a team, the Hurricanes finished the rain-shortened event in 7th place at 12-over-par 305-300–605.
Sunday’s originally scheduled first round was canceled as the golf course was unplayable due to overnight rain in the area and the event was shortened to 36 holes.
Beginning her round on the first tee, Hirano made a trio of birdies on the front nine of the Rancho Bernardo Inn Championship Golf Course. She continued her success on the back nine with another trio of birdies to propel her 13 spots to an impressive third place finish, Hirano’s best finish of the 2011-12 season.
“We’re very pleased with our finish today,” said head coach Patti Rizzo. “Jen played great. If Rika and Leticia were on top of their games it would have really been impressive. The field was strong. We beat eight teams ranked higher than us and it should help move our national ranking up.”
In addition to the note that Rizzo referenced, Miami finished ahead of top-20 teams Washington and Arizona.
Freshman Rika Park, whom led the Canes heading into day two leaves San Diego shooting 71-77–148, and finished three strokes behind Hirano tied for 12th place at 4-over 76. Freshmen Leticia Ras-Anderica and Shannon Pak ended the tournament with scores of 78-78–156 (+12) and 84-74–158, and finish in 51st and 61st place respectively.
Sophomore Carina Cuculiza managed to make par on holes No. 6,8,9,12,13 and 15. She completed the two rounds of the Battle at Rancho Bernardo with scores of 82-86–168.
The No. 3 Southern California Trojans (first, 295-295–590) claimed top honors at 14-over-par, while the Arizona State Sun Devils (second, 295-297–592) and Texas A&M Aggies (third, 302-294–696) took second and third.
The Hurricanes will return to action on April 6 when they travel to Oxford, Miss., for the fourth annual 54-hole Ole Miss Rebel Intercollegiate.
Individual Results
3. Jennifer Hirano – 74-71–145 (+1)
T12. Rika Park – 71-77–148 (+10)
T51. Leticia Ras-Anderica – 78-78–156 (+12)
T61. Shannon Pak – 84-74–158 (+14)
T85. Carina Cuculiza – 82-86–168 (+24)
Final Team Results
1. Southern Cal – 295-295=590 (+14)
2. Arizona State – 295-297=592 (+16)
3. Texas A&M – 302-294=596 (+20)
4. California- 303-294=597 (+21)
T5. Pepperdine – 302-300=602 (+26)
T5. Tulane – 293-309=602 (+26)
7. Miami – 305-300=605 (+29)
8. UNLV – 303-306=609 (+33)
9. Long Beach State – 303-312=615 (+39)
T10. Texas – 308-309=617 (+41)
T10. Washington – 313-304=617 (+41)
12. Denver – 312-311=623 (+47)
T13. Arizona – 313-311=624 (+48)
T13. Coastal Carolina – 315-309=624 (+48)
15. New Mexico – 316-311=627 (+51)
16. San Diego State – 306-323=629 (+53)
