ROSEMONT, Ill. – After ending the fall playing her best golf, Purdue’s Luana Valero was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the conference office announced (Oct. 23). The Purdue women’s golfer earns her first weekly accolade just five tournaments into her collegiate career.
Valero carded a career-best 218 (71-73-74) at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational (Oct. 17-19), tying for 26th on the individual leaderboard in a field that featured six Top 25 teams. The Medellin, Colombia, native began the tournament with a career-low 71, and in the second round, she made her team-leading third eagle of the season on her way to a 73. With a 74 in the final round, Valero helped Purdue finish one shot ahead of No. 1 Wake Forest, who entered the tournament undefeated.
The freshman has made an immediate impact for the Boilermakers, cracking the lineup in all five fall tournaments. Valero holds a 74.14 stroke average, on pace to be the fifth-best stroke average by a freshman in school history. She has recorded the team-low round three times throughout the fall, including the second round of the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational. Along her team-high three eagles, Valero ranks second in pars (155).
Valero and the Boilermakers return to competition in 2026, serving as hosts for the annual Purdue Puerto Rico Classic (Feb. 1-3).