PAWLEY'S ISLAND, S.C. – Senior Claire Vermette used the best round of her collegiate career to cap one of the best tournaments in JSU history on Tuesday at the Golfweek Fall Challenge.
 
Vermette fired a career-low 68 in Tuesday's final round to cap a 3-under 210 that tied her for eighth in the tournament and also tied her for the fourth-lowest 54-hole total in school history.
 
The St. Petersburg, Fla., native carved up the par-71, 6,026-yard layout at the Caledonia Golf & Fish Club, turning in rounds of 73-69-68 and moving into the Top 10 of the 104-player field on the third and final day of the event. She climbed seven spots in the final round to start her senior campaign with a Top-10 finish.

"For this tournament, and especially the last two rounds, it was all about believing in myself with my choices, my swing, and my ability," Vermette said. "I was patient when things didn't go as planned, but committed to the next shot as if the mistakes had never happened. I learned a lot this tournament, but I especially learned that I can lean on my teammates and coaches to support me no matter what."

She made 13 total birdies over the 54-hole tournament and only had four holes over par during her final two rounds. She played her final 42 holes at 7-under par to lead the Gamecocks and was 4-under on Caledonia's par-4 holes, second-best in the field.

"We had a really fun week to start the season, getting to compete after some really strong pre-season practice," new JSU head women's golf coach Robbie Fields said. "Everyone, including myself, had some nerves starting out but once we settled in we played some really good golf. We had three players making their first college start and it was exciting to see them kickoff their careers. I'm so proud of Claire for her performance, she's been such a great leader on and off the golf course and I'm excited for her! We've got some growing to do and we'll continue to focus on getting 2% better each day. I'm really excited for the rest of the season and I'm super proud of this team!"
 
JSU finished tied for 11^th in the 20-team field, shooting a final-round 292 on Tuesday to cap a 54-hole score of 881. Campbell won the event, while Austin Peay's Erica Scutt claimed medalist honors.
 
Sophomore Paula Perez Cubinas finished the tournament in a tie for 45^th after rounds of 75-73-74 gave the Catalonia, Spain, native a 54-hole score of 222. She made four birdies in her final round, the most for her during the three-day event.
 
Freshman Anna Ymbern Quinoa tied for 58^th after rounds of 74-75-76 resulted in a three-day score of 225 for the Saint Cugat del Valles, Spain, native. Her debut round on Sunday saw her birdie four holes, including three in a four-hole stretch to finish the front nine.
 
Redshirt freshman Aaron Whitley also made her JSU debut in the tournament, tying for 72^nd with a 54-hole score of 227. The Osprey, Fla., native signed for rounds of 75-78-74. Freshman Luciana Calbimonte rounded out the Jax State lineup with a total score of 235 that tied her for 89^th. The Cochabamba, Bolivia, native used rounds of 81-79-75 to improve each day in her collegiate debut.
 
The Gamecocks will return to the links in two weeks, when they compete in the APSU Intercollegiate at the Clarksville Country Club in Clarksville, Tenn.