CSU-Pueblo golfer Leina Kim began her sports career at the age of 10. She credits her father and brother as the major influences that peaked her interest in golf, and the sport has become an important part of her life.

Kim, who is beginning to consider a professional career after college, said, “I have thought about if I wanted to, though, due to some inconsistency in my game, I didn’t know if it was a possibility. But I have had more reassurance recently with the increase of my golf achievements.”

Kim has earned many awards as a leader for the CSU-Pueblo Women’s Golf Pack. According to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Kim won her second straight individual RMAC tournament championship at the YellowJacket Invite in Spearfish, S.D. She shot 6-over-par to lead the field, winning by a comfortable seven strokes at the Spearfish Canyon Country Club.

Her individual title lead CSU-Pueblo to their second consecutive RMAC tournament championship.

Kim also broke a school record in the RMAC Tournament #1 by shooting a 142 total on her way to being named the RMAC Women’s Golfer of the Week in September.

Of all the awards and the spotlights on her achievements, the Athlete of the Year Award  in 2013 was the most fulfilling for Kim.

“It was a school wide athlete of the year award, and it woke me up and made me feel like hey, I have a chance,” Kim said.

Kim has been ranked first in three of the four tournaments held so far this fall, and being in the spotlight has given her the confidence she needed to look ahead toward the pros.