Jasmin Espinosa BROWNSVILLE – As women’s golf prepared to take its first swing of the spring season, senior Cristina Galban readied to take the course after a three-month recovery from an injury.
“I stopped playing and practicing but now that everything’s really good with my back, I don’t have any pain,” Galban said. “Like, [I’m] playing really, really good, so I hope it stays like that.”
Galban suffered a back injury last fall.
Now in her final year with the team and after some time to recover, she believes the Vaqueros can win it all.
“Maybe that’s the most exciting thing because we have the chance to win conference,” Galban said.
Puthita Khuanrudee, UTRGV Women’s Golf associate head coach, expressed her excitement for Galban’s return
“Cristina coming back from injury is going to be huge for us,” Khuanrudee said. “She’s going to put some tension for the lineup.” … “So, hopefully all the other girls are ready for that.” … “[In] the fall, we did a really good for the girl[s].” … “We broke a couple team records, so, I’m excited to see how [far] the girl[s] would take me.”
Galban shared what pushed her through the recovery.
“I love golf. I love my teammates. I love my coaches. I love the facility that we have, and my goals are, of course, to graduate with a really good GPA and with a good scoring average,” she said.
The women’s golf team will take on the Texas State Bobcats Tuesday at the Landa Park Golf course in New Braunfels.
Men’s golf hits the road
UTRGV Men’s Golf hosted the Compadres Collegiate which began on Sunday and ended on ] Tuesday.
The team tied for second after its first day.
This is the third-straight season the Vaqueros host the event, which takes place at the Playa Paraiso Golf Club in Playa del Carmen.
Houston Moore, director of men’s golf, explained how the team prepared for its first meet of the year.
“Right now, we are just getting as much golf in as possible,” Moore said. “We kind of have an early start to our year, so I think just getting out on the golf course and getting more reps. Everyone’s coming back to the valley for the first time of the spring.”
After wrapping up its final game Tuesday, UTRGV men’s golf won’t be back in action until its matches on Feb. 17 and 18 in Laredo.
UTRGV Baseball releases home game schedule
UTRGV Baseball announced its promotional home games last Monday.
Below are the games:
1. Friday, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m. vs. The University of Kansas Jayhawks -Season Opener -Post-game fireworks show
2. Saturday, Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m. vs. The University of Kansas Jayhawks -Pack the Park -Top 3 most-spirited fans win prizes from Vaquero Outfitters.
3. Sunday, Feb. 15, 1 p.m. vs. The University of Kansas Jayhawks -Family Fun Day -Winter Texan Day -Classic Rock Day: Classic rock music will play throughout the game
4. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m. vs. Texas Tech University Red Raiders -Orange Out
5. Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 p.m. vs. Texas Southern University Tigers -$2 Tuesdays -Y2K Trivia
6. Wednesday, March 4, 6:30 p.m. vs. Texas Southern University Tigers -Western Wednesday -Western music will play throughout the game
7. Friday, March 6, 6:30 p.m. vs. University of New Orleans Privateers* -Superhero Night -Free admission to those who dress up in a superhero costume or shirt -Free admission to PK-12 teachers, staff and administrators with valid ID
8. Saturday, March 7, 6:30 p.m. vs. University of New Orleans Privateers* -Catch ‘Em All Night -Pokémon/Pokémon Trainer Costume Contest -Other Pokémon themed activities planned
9. Sunday, March 8, 1 p.m. vs. University of New Orleans Privateers* -Family Fun Day -Community Heroes Day -Free admission to those with a Vaquero Debit Card
10. Friday, March 27, 6:30 p.m. vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders* -Beat Corpus T-Shirt Giveaway
11. Saturday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders* -Swifties Night
-Varsity Club Night -Baseball Alumni Night
12. Sunday, March 29, 1 p.m. vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders* -Family Fun Day -Salute to service
13. Thursday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. vs. Northwestern State University Demons* -Selena Night -Selena music will play throughout the night -Selena Trivia
14. Friday, April 3, 6:30 p.m. vs. Northwestern State University Demons* -Vaqueros Against Violence Night
15. Saturday, April 4, 1 p.m. vs. Northwestern State University Demons* -Bark in the Park -Dogs will receive frees bandanas (While supplies last)
16. Monday, April 6, 6:30 p.m. vs. Houston Christian University Huskies -Upside Down Night -Stranger Things themed events
17. Friday, April 17, 6:30 p.m. vs. Southeastern Louisiana University Lions* -956 Night -Free themed T-shirts -Some fans will be invited onto the field
18. Sunday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. vs. Southeastern Louisiana University Lions* -Family Fun Day -Autism Acceptance Night
19. Friday, May 1, 6:30 p.m. vs. University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals* -Lucha Libre Night -Pre-game lucha libre wrestling match -Lucha libre masks will be passed to those attending (as supplies last)
20. Sunday, May 3, 1 p.m. vs. University of the Incarnate Word Cardinals* -Public Employee Appreciation Day -Family Day -Senior Day
