Bulls Sign Colombian Standout Barriga Lesmes
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, NOV. 14, 2018 – Head coach
Erika Brennan and assistant coach
Dalton Stevens have added more international experience to the program by signing Colombian standout Ana Maria Barriga Lesmes to a National Letter of Intent.
"Ana Maria is incredibly mature and takes extreme ownership of her game. In the recruiting process, we loved how well she could articulate her strengths. She has played some incredible golf in her junior career, and we know that her best golf is right in front of her," Brennan said. "She is very competitive and brings international tournament experience representing her home country of Colombia. Her tenacity and drive are what sets her apart, and we are thrilled to welcome her as the next great Bull."
Barriga Lesmes has represented her home country well by posting two top-five finishes and four top-10 performances in national and international tournaments this year. The Neiva, Colombia native looks forward to contributing as incoming freshman next fall for a school that appealed to her both on and off the course.
"The University of South Florida is excellent academically and athletically. For me, it has always been a priority to have a balance between both of them and USF is perfect in both aspects," Barriga Lesmes said. "I am more than excited about being a part of the Bulls family. They are a strong and unique team. I will learn many things that will allow me to grow as a person and as a player."
On top of her shining achievements this year, Barriga Lesmes has won 10 local tournaments in her region and was awarded with the prestigious Mingo Pinzon medal. Barriga Lesmes also has back-to-back Abierto Opita de Golf title victories to her credit.
"We are excited to welcome Ana Maria Barriga Lesmes to the Bulls family. Ana is a tremendous, young talent that brings a lot of characteristics to our program that we are looking for in the process," Stevens said. "Her work ethic and competitiveness are going to be huge keys to her success at the college level here at South Florida. She has gained a lot of solid international experience competing in Colombia and South America. We are thrilled for her to join us and stake her claim in the 'Uprising.'"
Barriga Lesmes will join a collegiate program that's built a lot of momentum heading into the spring. USF placed in the top 10 of all four of its events this fall with a pair of runner-up finishes. The Bulls broke numerous 18- and 54-hole scoring records while placing second in the fall season finale at the FIU Pat Bradley Invitational on Oct. 23.
About USF Women's Golf
Nine-year veteran head coach Erika Brennan completed her first spring season with USF in 2018. Juniors Natalia Villavicencio and Maria "Nani" Merchan highlighted the 2017-18 season, combining to post four top-10 performances and 11 top-25 finishes, including eight in the spring. The 2018-19 roster includes three newcomers: transfers Jacqueline Twitty and Sadie Dewinton-Davies along with freshman Ramya Meenakshisundaram. The Bulls opened the 2018 fall season with a runner-up finish at the USA Intercollegiate and also placed second at the FIU Pat Bradley Invitational to wrap up their four-tournament run before the spring.
