LAWTON, Okla. (September 20, 2026) – For the third year in a row under Head Coach Paul Chavez, The University of Texas Permian Basin women's golf team opened up its new season at the Oklahoma Women's Intercollegiate hosted by Cameron University at the Lawton Country Club. However, this year it was extra special as junior Lorena Etxeberria birdied her last two holes to win individual medalist honors and help the Falcons capture the first team title in program history.

After round one on Saturday, UTPB carded an 18-over-par team score (302), sitting six strokes in front of Texas A&M-Texarkana (308; +24) in second place and seven strokes ahead of the hosts from Cameron (309; +25) in third place. Then during the final round on Sunday, UTPB (302-308; 610; +42) was able to remain two strokes ahead of the charge by Cameron (309-303; 612; +44).

Coach Chavez said, "Winning the first women's team championship in school history was one of my goals when I became the golf coach at UTPB, so this is an incredible accomplishment, and it validates all of the hard work that we have put into the program. I am extremely proud of all of the women's golf team members for their commitment to the program, it has paid off."

Etxeberria and sophomore Lakshita Pragnya were both vying for the individual title at different points throughout the tournament, and in the end, it was Etxeberria (76-70; 146; +4) shooting one-under-par during round two, the lowest round of the tournament from any player. Etxeberria went on to win the tournament (37 total golfers) by just one stroke over Regina Olvera (74-73; 147; +5) from Redlands Community College.

"Etxeberria started by saying, "I am so happy right now. This is the first team win for me in my whole life, and I have never played under-par before, so I am just so happy."

Etxeberria is the second player in program history to win a tournament, joining Arnie Taguines (Sept. 27, 2022). Etxeberria had to rise five spots during round two after tying for sixth place after round one. Her rise during round two was benefited by five birdies in the round, including two to start the round (holes 12 & 13) and two to end it (holes 10 & 11). Etxeberria's birdies to win the tournament came on a 480-yard par-5 on hole 10 and a 145-yard par-3 on hole 11.

"My first round was bad, but I tried to just do my best, and then today I did not play that good at the beginning, but for some reason I was so focused and confident, and it just worked out," added Etxeberria. "I did not know the scores during the tournament, so I was not nervous and I just tried to finish as good as I could. Then I saw the scores at the end and I was so happy."

Coach Chavez continued, "We knew it was close at the end as us and Cameron were battling back and forth. My message to Lorena before the tournament was that I wanted her to become our leader and take on that role, and I was extremely proud of her to be able to step up and birdie her last two holes, which was the difference between both us winning as a team and her winning as an individual."

Individually, Etxeberria was first in par-5 scoring (4.38; -5) and total birdies (7) in the tournament. Five of her seven birdies overall and three of her five birdies during round two came on par-5's.

Pragnya (73-78; 151; +9), meanwhile, ultimately finished in sixth place after leading the field following round one (+2).

Starting the tournament in a tie for third place at four-over was junior Chase Fields (75-81; 156; +14), who ultimately finished in a tie for 12th place.

Rounding out UTPB's top-five was sophomore Carlota Gutierrez (78-79; 157; +15) in 15th place and junior Nat Armenta (79-82; 161; +19) in a tie for 20th.

In addition, playing as an individual for UTPB was sophomore Amelia Bowles (81-83; 164; +22) in 23rd place and junior Jordyn Cruz (86-83; 169: +27) in 30th.

As a team, UTPB was first in par-5 scoring (4.92; -3) and total bridies (21); was tied for first with the fewest bogeys (51); and was second in par-4 scoring (4.49; +44), total pars (93), and fewest double bogeys (15).

"I am extremely proud of the UTPB women's program," concluded Coach Chavez. "We have come a long way in a short amount of time, and we are looking to continue to build a strong program moving forward. I absolutely love chasing records."

It was career win No. 162 for Coach Chavez between his time at Odessa College and UTPB, and was his fourth combined win in three seasons at UTPB (both men's & women's programs).

Next up, the UT Permian Basin women's golf team heads to Dallas Baptist University, Monday-Tuesday, September 28-29, to compete at the DBU Classic.