KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Sophomore Paola Valerio easily broke UTSA's year-old record with a final-round 66 on Sunday and the Roadrunners women's golf team set a new program mark with a 287 en route an eighth-place finish at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate Championships.
Valerio carded seven birdies, including four on the front-nine, and her only bogey came on the 12th hole. The Mexico City native finished the tournament with a program-record 212 (74-72-66), which was good for fifth place on the individual leaderboard. Her 66 bested the mark she shared with Shelly Martinez by two strokes.
UTSA finished with a 54-hole total of 886 (305-294-287), which also was a new school standard.
"I am very proud of this team for fighting back throughout the event," head coach Carrie Parnaby said. "It's great to break another team record and the last round was exciting. I truly believe there's a lot more to come from this group."
Freshman Taylor Newlin, who started the day in a tie for sixth place, shot a three-over 75 to finish 13th. Newlin birdied No. 7 but bogeys on Nos. 8, 12 and 14 gave her a three-day total of 217 (73-69-75).
Junior Summer Batiste concluded her first tournament of the season with a 227 (77-76-74). The highlight of her day came on No. 17, where she recorded an eagle.
Freshman Fabiola Arriaga shot a career-low 72 on the strength of birdies on Nos. 4, 5 and 18, to finish tied for 59th (81-77-72=230).
Led by individual medalist Erica Popson, tournament host Tennessee took the team title with an 849 (280-284-285). Popson, who carded a three-day total of 207 (67-69-71), defeated Mississippi's Natalie Gleadall in a sudden-death playoff.
The Roadrunners will be back in action from Oct. 31-Nov. 2 when they host the Alamo Invitational at Briggs Ranch Golf Course.
