Yorba Linda, Calif. – Juniors Ronnie Valerio and Sara Banke each had top 10 performances in the first spring tournament to lead UC Irvine to a third place finish at The Gold Rush held at the Yorba Linda Country Club.

Valerio was ninth, her first top 10 finish of the season, with a three-round total of 234 (74-76-84), while Banke was tied for 10^th, her best career showing at UCI, after carding a 235 (75-82-78). Freshman Luciane Lee had the team's best final round, posting a 75 and finishing in 17^th place with a score of 237 (84-78-75). Senior Michelle Park was tied for 18^th at 238 (83-78-77) and sophomore Taryn Yee was tied for 47th with a two-day total of 247 (84-85-78). Brenna Carlson played as an individual and finished in 57^th place with a score of 252 (83-84-85).

UCI moved up on spot on Tuesday after recording its lowest round of the tournament with a 308 on the final 18 holes. The Anteaters had a three-round total of 938 (316-314-308). Host Long Beach State captured the tournament crown with a score of 917, 10 shots ahead of Gonzaga (927).  Gonzaga's Raychelle Santos earned medalist honors with a score of 224 (76-75-73).

UC Irvine will host the UC Irvine Invitational presented by Kia on Feb. 25-26 at the Santa Ana Country Club. The winner of the tournament receives a sponsor exemption for the LPGA Kia Classic on March 18-24 at the Aviara Golf Club.

Final Results
1.      Long Beach State        307        304     306     917
2.      Gonzaga                      312        305     310     927
3.      UC Irvine                      316        314     308     938
4.      San Diego State           308        315     318     941
5.      Portland State              317        327     307     951
6.      Washington State        324        327     301     952
7.      Santa Clara                  326        321     317     964
8.      Cal State Fullerton       324        319     323     966
9.      BYU                               321        320     326     967
10.    Nevada                         327        319     325     971
11.    Cal State Northridge    326        321     329     976

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