Leina to help CSU-Pueblo retain title

Leina Kim receives her trophy after winning the West Texas A&M Lady Buff Invitational last month. (CSU-Pueblo)

The Lady ThunderWolves, who are also champions in the 2011-2012 season, are the reigning RMAC titlists. The Lady ThunderWolves aimed for back-to-back crowns, but was foiled by the Western New Mexico University Mustangs in the 2012-2013 season.

Kim, last season, also bagged her second RMAC Golfer of the Year award to become the first golfer in CSU-Pueblo history to earn All-America honors. She won three individual tournaments last year.

“I want to gain that RMAC championship again, as a team and individually. I want our team to be recognized as one of the competitors to the title and a threat to other schools,” said Kim in an email to the Saipan Tribune.

The CSU-Pueblo Business Management junior, who also earned a spot on the NCAA Division II regionals, ruled four of the five tournaments last season, making her one of the players to watch when play resumes next year.

She said that she tries not to think about all the pressure of being the target of other players next spring.

“All I want to do is play my game and have fun doing it. But when I do feel stressed out about everything, talking to my mom calms me down and she helps me feel pumped up for the game,” said Kim, whose mother Shirley owns and operates Sun Palace Hotel beside the Oleai Sports Complex.

Kim has also put in 100 percent of her effort with schoolwork and tries to catch up with her classes after almost two months of playing golf.

“It is very hard to actually keep up with school and golf during season. You have to constantly keep in touch with your professors, so you can turn in all your work on time, or reschedule exams before or after a tournament,” said Kim.

“Thankfully, our season ended early, which gives us plenty time to catch up on studying. There is a lot of self-teaching when you travel as much as we do.”

Despite the offseason, she still finds time to keep in shape by hitting the golf courses and engaging in other activities.

“I also practice every once in a while when I have the time. I’ve also participated in intramural volleyball where we placed third in the recreational league,” added Kim, a four-time RMAC Golfer of the Week this season.

Kim said that she wants to enjoy her last two years at CSU-Pueblo and has not really decided what to do once she graduates.

“At the moment, I still do not know what I want to do after I graduate. I have an extra year left, and I may have to pick up a minor for school. As for now, becoming a professional is something I have in mind.”

Teammate Julie Sanchez is the only one graduating for CSU-Pueblo after this season, leaving the team intact with Kim, Danielle DuPont, Natasha Navarro, Samantha Geisick, and Megan McCutcheon still on the roster. Courtney Ewing and Tori Goodman will be the new additions next season. (Jon Perez)