T-Bird (W-Golf) Earns 1st Fall Victory

The Thunderbird women's golf team won their first tournament of the fall season after shooting 2-over (289-289) at the High Country Shootout Tuesday, Sept. 24.

The T-Birds defeated Odessa College by 10 shots earning head coach Kendalyn Ferguson her fourth career win at NMJC.

Hinano Kishida won the individual title in Ruidoso, NM with a 4-under par (71-69) 36-hole total of 140. Kishida's second-round 69 featured five birdies and two bogeys. The 4-under total sets the school record for lowest round to par. The sophomore is now tied with Nanami Hayakawa (3) for most wins in school history.

Sophomore Wawa Booncharn recorded her third straight top-5 finish to start the season after shooting 73-71 at The Links at Sierra Blanca. The even-par finish was enough to earn Booncharn T-3 honors at the High Country Shootout.

Nanami Hayakawa had another stellar week for the T-Birds posting a 2-under 70 in the opening round and a 2-over 74 in the final round. Hayakawa's even-par finish tied her with Booncharn in third place. The Okaya, Japan native has finished in the top 10 in all three tournaments this fall. 

Olivia Heard posted back-to-back rounds of 75 to finish in a tie for eighth place at 6-over par for the tournament. Freshman Giuliana Frutos posted consecutive 76s this week to come in a tie for 10th place at 8-over par.  

Now over to the individual side for the Thunderbirds. 

Stefany Crozier was the top individual for the T-Birds in Ruidoso with a T-8 performance. The freshman went 80-72 to finish at 8-over par for the tournament. Sophomore Ashleigh Johnson had another consistent week with her back-to-back 79s placing her T-15 at 14-over.  

Freshman Jordyn Cruz had a tough go in the first round on Monday with an opening 14-over 86. Cruz was able to fire a 2-over 74 in the final round to move to 16-over and into a tie for 17th place. Sophomore Kyleigh McGowen went 80-80 in 36 holes to finish T-17 at 16-over par.  

Zoe Munoz placed 20th at 26-over par with rounds of 89-81. Kiyonna Matthews was the final individual posting rounds of 87-90 to finish in a tie for 21st at 33-over.

The Thunderbirds will have a few weeks off before they travel to Durango, CO to compete in the Nick Turner Invitational Oct. 14-15.