Wake Tech Sophomore Rachel Lea, former team captain, MVP, and three-time All-Conference at Broughton High School, found the perfect challenge when she decided to play for the women’s golf team at Wake Tech. At the time, Rachel didn’t know she would be setting records along the way.

In March, she shot a personal best of 177 and took first place in the Eagle Fusillade Challenge, at Olde Liberty Golf Course in Youngsville, NC. With the win, Rachel became the first medalist in women’s golf in the history of Wake Tech’s athletics program.

“Going into the tournament, I was in the mindset of going out and having fun,” Rachel said. “I trusted that my practice and golf game had prepared me to play the two-day, 36-hole tournament.”

Coach David Kristan celebrated the win by talking about Rachel’s focus and mental toughness: “She’s a coach’s dream. Rachel is not only a great student, but also a gifted athlete. Over the winter she worked on her game relentlessly, and it shows!”

Rachel plans to use her Associate in Arts degree to transfer to a university, but she realizes she made the right choice by starting out at Wake Tech. “I think being a student athlete at Wake Tech has been a great opportunity to better myself and improve my leadership skills.”

Rachel and teammate Laurel Jackson went on to shine during the NJCAA Region 10 tournament and qualified for Nationals in Daytona, Florida!

To learn more about Wake Tech athletics, visit waketechsports.com.