Tarleton’s Jimenez-Perea ranked No. 1 in nation

Shayd Warr / Sports Writer

Tarleton State University’s Isabel Jiminez-Perea is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in NCAA Division II women’s golf. According to statistics found at golfstat.com, she has an adjusted scoring average of 71.60.

The 20-year-old European native from Spain just wanted a chance to be able to play golf and get a higher education, so she started searching for universities.

“I received an email from the coach here and so I did some research. I liked the school and they said come play with us. I saw they were good so I said let’s go,” Jiminez-Perea said when asked about what made her decide to come to Tarleton.

She started playing golf when she was 7-years-old. Her father played as she was growing up and it urged her to try it.

“My Dad played and he would talk about how he did on each hole. It looked fun, so I asked him to bring me along.” Jiminez-Perea said.

As for being recognized as No. 1, Jimenez-Perea thought she never would have achieved this coming into college.

“No, not at all. I didn’t even know there was a ranking at first. When I found out, it seemed something far. One of my teammates told me, ‘You might be good enough for the rankings,’ and she showed me,” Jiminez-Perea answered. “But I’m happy about it, I have to keep working, that’s what matters. The important season is in the spring. It feels good.”

Jiminez-Perea stays focused on one thing to keep her motivated. “My family. I know they like me to play good. So I use that as motivation.”

The sophomore recently captured her second individual win of the season carding back-to-back 3-under 68’s at the Rock Barn Invitational in Conover, N.C. that was held on Oct. 28-29. She finished in the top-five in all four tournaments this fall, with individual titles in two consecutive tournaments, a third-place finish and a fifth-place finish while shooting par in three of her last four rounds.

Finishing 6-under-par in her two-day combined total was inspirational as the TexAnns claimed second place overall. The TexAnns are ranked second as a team in the nation. They are eight strokes behind Lynn University.

When asked about what advice she would give to future collegiate golfers, she replied, “you have to be patient. This sport is little by little and you have to keep working every day. You won’t get what you want the first time. Maybe you don’t even hit the ball the first time you go play, so be patient and enjoy it.”

With the season stopping during winter break, there is much to look forward to for the TexAnn golf team in the spring. Jiminez-Perea hopes to contribute in bringing home the seventh consecutive Lone Star Conference Championship for Tarleton State.

“I hope to stay No.1 but mainly would be to win conference. And possibly make nationals,” Jiminez-Perea responded.