K-State Opens Spring Season at Puerto Rico Classic

MANHATTAN, Kan. – For the second time in as many seasons, the Kansas State women's golf team will begin its spring season on the Island of Enchantment as the Wildcats take part in the Puerto Rico Classic, Sunday through Tuesday, at the par-72, 6,305-yard Grand Reserve Golf Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.

The Wildcats, who are ranked 30th in the National Collegiate Golf Rankings, look to kickstart their spring campaign against a difficult field as they are in search of their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2017.

"We are excited to start our spring in Puerto Rico," said head coach Stew Burke, whose team finished ninth in last year's Puerto Rico Classic. "Preparation has been less than ideal due to the inclement weather across the United States, but our ladies have embraced the challenges and put in some great work in the lead up to our first event. We were very fortunate that we were able to take a practice trip prior to this event, and I am thankful for our alumni and boosters for helping make that possible for our team. The field in Puerto Rico is going to have a number of top-10 teams, so to start our season in one of the strongest fields in college golf is a great test. The ladies know that this is where they belong. I look forward to battling with the best teams in the country all season long."

The event, which is hosted by 33rd-ranked Purdue, features 18 total teams, including 12 ranked in the top 50 of the national rankings. Those top-50 teams are No. 2 Arkansas, No. 9 Northwestern, No. 15 Vanderbilt, No. 16 LSU, No. 19 Mississippi, No. 20 Auburn, No. 22 Michigan State, No. 32 Iowa State, No. 37 Georgia Southern and No. 42 Minnesota. The field also includes Furman, Kent State, North Florida, North Texas, UNC Wilmington and UTSA.

K-State's lineup will be composed of senior Carla Bernat, freshman Nanami Nakashima, junior Noa van Beek, senior Sophie Bert and sophomore Julia Ballester Barrio.

Bernat is ranked 37th in the nation and as she holds a team-leading 70.21 scoring average this season with three top-five finishes. She won the season-opening Powercat Invitational while also placing second at the Rainbow Wahine Invitational and tying for fourth at the Blessings Collegiate Invitational. Last year at the Puerto Rico Classic, the Castellon, Spain, native tied for third at 7-under par 209.

Nakashima enters her sixth collegiate event with a 73.50 scoring average and a pair of top-20 finishes, including a second-place showing at the Powercat Invitational. van Beek, who also played in all five fall events, is averaging 74.86 strokes per round and is looking to improve off a tie for 42nd at last year's Puerto Rico Classic with a 54-hole score of 6-over par 222.

A senior transfer from East Tennessee State, Bert ranks third on the team with a 73.36 scoring average and is tied with Bernat with four top-10 finishes this season, which includes a tie for seventh place at both the Powercat Invitational and Rainbow Wahine Invitational.

Ballester Barrio is in the scoring lineup for the first time this season and is participating in just her second event as she finished in 15th place at the Powercat Invitational at 7-over par 223. Like van Beek, Ballester Barrio is in search of a better showing in Puerto Rico after tying for 72nd last season.

An 8:30 a.m. (AT) shotgun start will begin play on both Sunday and Monday, while Tuesday's final round will carry a 7:30 a.m. (AT) shotgun start. The Wildcats will be paired with Iowa State, Georgia Southern and Minnesota in the first round. Live results of the Puerto Rico Classic will be available at Golfstat.com or by clicking here.

– k-statesports.com –

How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Women's Golf, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

Julia Ballester Barrio

Carla Bernat

Sophie Bert

Nanami Nakashima

Noa van Beek

Kansas State University Athletics