The UTSA women’s golf fall schedule has come to a close after a record-setting campaign. The No. 50-ranked Roadrunner squad was led by senior Camryn Carreon, who broke the school record with a 64 on the final day of the Jim West Challenge on Oct. 23.
Carreon also broke the school record on Oct. 10 for most career victories, winning her fourth tournament by posting a 12-under-par 204. Carreon now has 10 par-or-better rounds, including nine sub-70 scores, in 12 rounds this fall.
In her youth, Carreon claimed to have tried several sports growing up, though golf was the one that stuck. The all-conference golfer credits her father for getting her into the sport and stated she began to get attention on the course later than most high-level collegiate golfers.
Despite the late start, Carreon felt it was for the best.
“I started recruitment later than most Division I golfers,” Carreon said, who started recruitment at the age of 12. “They start around five or six years old.”
Prior to UTSA, Carreon was born and raised in San Antonio. Carreon was named the San Antonio Express-News and Golf San Antonio Girls Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and won the TAPPS 6A state championship her senior year after finishing as a runner-up in her junior season.
Wanting to stay in her hometown, Carreon decided to commit to the UTSA golf program and she is very appreciative of both the athletics program and the academics.
“I wanted to stay in Texas since I am close with my parents and family,” Carreon said. “At first, I did not know UTSA was a thing due to living on the opposite side of town. I committed as soon as I could because it was the best option. The facilities are amazing. The team is amazing.”
For most athletes, there are set routines and schedules to help the player stay focused, healthy and ready to go. This is no different for Carreon, especially when it comes to balancing athletics, academics and team travel.
She explained that the team leaves the day before a tournament and that it is just a recovery day, which is especially important for the athlete competing in the next few days. The first day of the tournament is a practice round, which she explains is only one round.
Carreon also added that “it is hard to get to know the course in only one round.”
For the season finale Jim West Challenge, it was a 36-hole day, meaning it is two rounds. On these days, Carreon wakes up around 5 a.m., giving her enough time to prepare and focus for the 8:30 a.m. start.
From there, Carreon is on the course for about 12 hours.
“After [round one], you go to bed and then do it over again, but with 18 holes rather than 36,” Carreon said. “Then after this, [we] go home and arrive back in San Antonio around midnight.”
Prior to the Jim West Challenge where she broke her own record, Carreon discussed another match she attended individually earlier this season. She hoped that this match could have led her to play at the professional level, though fell short.
Post the unattached performance, Carreon explained how upset she was, but then realized that everything happens for a reason. Carreon then discussed the final fall tournament and how she played without trying too hard.
“If you try too hard, you do horribly,” Carreon said, “but if you don’t try at all, you play your best.”
Carreon initially joined the Roadrunner golf program with the intent of simply playing the sport she loves. Now in her senior year, Carreon looks back and credits her motivation to winning.
“When I first started college golf, I did not think I could even win one tournament, no less two or three,” Carreon said. “But I did.”
With the fall season over, Carreon looks to the spring golf tournament schedule, which has yet to be announced. When asked about any goals she may have, Carreon said she preferred the term baby steps and does not have many big goals.
But when she did mention one of her goals, it was something for the whole UTSA women’s golf team.
“I really want all the team to make it to nationals as a team,” Carreon said.
