ALLENDALE, Mich. (May 16, 2015) – Colorado State University-Pueblo's Leina Kim (Jr., Saipan, CNMI) concluded play at the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Championship in strong fashion Saturday, carding a 2-over 74. Kim finishes the 72-hole tournament in a tie for 12th with an overall score of 18-over 306.
Kim's mark of 18-over 306 bests her first performance in the national tournament, which came in 2013 during her freshman season. In that appearance, Kim placed 28th with a score of 20-over 308 in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Breanna Moore of Midwestern State took home this year's individual title with a final score of 9-over 297. Moore bested second-place finisher Madison Lellyo (11-over 299) of Rollins College by two strokes.
The University of Indianapolis led all four rounds to claim the team championship with a score of 60-over 1212. Rollins College finished second at 65-over 1217, while Lynn placed third with a mark of 73-over 1225.
Kim played arguably her most consistent round of the tournament Saturday. She opened the day with a bogey on hole No. 1, but bounced back to par the next four holes. After a bogey at No. 6, Kim finished the front nine with three straight pars to sit at 2-over for the round.
Kim registered her seventh birdie of the tournament at the par-four 10th hole to improve to 1-over par for the day. Five consecutive pars ensued as Kim maintained her score of 1-over for the round.
Kim closed her second national tournament appearance with a bogey and two pars to match her best round of the week with a score of 2-over 74. Her three bogeys in round four were her fewest of any round during the tournament, while her 14 pars were the most of any round.
Kim concludes an outstanding junior season which saw her earn first-team all-American honors from the Women's Golf Coaches Association as well as her third consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year award and first-team all-conference nod.
Kim won five out of the nine tournaments in which she competed this season leading up to this week's national championship. In the remaining four tournaments, Kim placed second, third twice and 10th.
Entering the Division II Women's Golf Championship, Kim held the nation's best scoring average at 72.47 per round. She led second-place Anna Arrese Cortadellas of Oklahoma Christian by 1.11 strokes per round. Kim ranked 24th in scoring average amongst all collegiate golfers (NCAA Division I, II, II, NAIA, NJCAA).
- 30 -
As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
