JACKSONVILLE – Claire Vermette wasn't going to let one of the best careers in Jax State women's golf history wrap up without some of the magic the Gamecocks have grown accustomed to seeing from her.
 
The fifth-year senior and undisputed leader of the Gamecocks entered Tuesday's final round of the ASUN Championship in a tie for 15^th place and just 18 holes to play in what has been an illustrious career in Red and White. Her last scorecard recorded one of her best rounds and nearly won the tournament.
 
Vermette, the school's career leader in birdies, made one on her first hole in Sunday's opening round and went 40 holes before her next one came on the Highlands Course's par-4 sixth hole in the final round. That was what she needed to get going, making four birdies and an eagle over her final 13 holes to shoot 68 and come within a shot of winning the 65-player event.
 
"Claire was phenomenal today," head coach Robbie Fields said. "A two-putt from 96 feet on 11, two-hopping a wedge off the flagstick for a tap-in birdie on 14, a three wood from 209 yards for a tap-in eagle on 15 then a two-putt birdie on 17 were impressive to see. I'm so proud of all she's accomplished at Jax State and I'm excited I got to be a part of it."
 
She finished the 54-hole tournament with a score of 219, one shot behind medalist Lauren Thompson of Lipscomb. Shortly after Vermette signed for her final round 68 that gave her a 54-hole 219, she held a share of the lead with North Florida's Christin Eisenbeiss while waiting for Thompson to finish her round. Lipscomb's No. 1 player made birdie on 17 and par on 18 to win the tournament and avoid facing Vermette and Eisenbeiss in a playoff.
 
"After battling through some tough conditions and leaving myself seven shots back, this final round was a green light for me," Vermette said. "I had nothing to lose. I tried my best not to put pressure on the idea it could be my last round and just tried to play as free as possible. Honestly, I hit some of the best shots of my career today, including the three wood into the green on 15 to two feet. It was electric at the end, and I felt so lucky to be able to do it in front of my friends and family. I want to thank Jax State for everything!"
 
It was Vermette's second runner-up finish this season and also dropped her season scoring average to 73.09, the second-best in a season in Jax State history. She dropped the third-lowest career scoring average in school history to 74.43 and increased her career record for birdies to 314, 70 more than second place. She was named to the ASUN Championship All-Tournament Team for her performance.
 
The final-round 68 was one shot away from her career low and tied for the second-best round in a conference tournament by any Jax State player in history. It was Vermette's 14^th round of par or better this season, second in school history, and the 38^th of her career – 10 more than second place on that list.
 
The team's lone upperclassman, Vermette led the Gamecocks to an eighth-place finish in tough conditions in new head coach Fields first season at the helm. Their final-round 302 was their best score of the event and capped a three-day score of 919 that was within 15 shots of the lead.
 
"We put on a fight today and all week," Fields said. "We came in believing we could compete and, although it wasn't our best performance, I'm proud of what I saw from our team."
 
Freshman Anna Ymbern Quinoa wrapped up her second-straight Top-30 finish and the third of her career with a 231 that tied her for 23^rd. The Saint Cugat Del Valles, Spain, native shot a final-round 74 that featured four birdies tied sophomore and fellow Spain (Girona) native Paula Perez Cubinas, who shot a 76 on Tuesday to wrap up her 219.
 
Redshirt freshman Aaron Whitley tied for 47^th after a final-round 84 capped her 238, while freshman Ebby Somers battled a shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw on Sunday to shoot 85 on Tuesday.
 
"We grew a lot this year with a young team and coaching staff," Fields said. "It was such a fun journey with a very special group. I'm so proud of this team and really excited for what the future holds for us here at Jax State."