Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1036268
135 H er love of pizza kept Rachel Fujitani involved with the sport of golf; her love of golf and community is why she is now at the University of Iowa. Fujitani, a sophomore who lived in Seattle for 16 years and in Phoenix since her junior year of high school, spoke at the University of Iowa Athletics Department All-Staff meeting Sept. 12 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. She started playing golf at age 8 aer becoming involved with e First Tee program. at youth organization introduces children to golf, then helps impact their lives through character-building, promoting healthy choices, and instilling life-enhancing values. "I started with Girls Club," Fujitani said. "If my dad was here, he would gladly tell you that the reason that I kept coming back to play golf was because I looked forward to enjoying pizza aer a round of golf. It must have worked because I'm here today, 11 years later, playing the game that I love." Fujitani won the 2014 Washington Interscholastic Activities Association championship as a freshman at Mercer Island High School, shooting 73-73—146. She was runner-up in 2015 (74-72—146) and seventh in 2016 (76-73—149). Aer her family relocated, Fujitani shot 78 and placed 12th at the Arizona Division I State Championship in 2016 when she competed for Hamilton High School. e reason she enrolled at the University of Iowa was community. "When I came down here on my recruitment trip, the moment I set foot on this campus, I could automatically feel the energy of Iowa City through the students, staff, and community itself," Fujitani said. "I love how Iowa City has such support of fans for all the sports here." A sociology major, Fujitani called her experience as a student-athlete at Iowa "more than amazing." She raved about the resources available, as well as the support staff available to assist. "It means a lot," Fujitani said. "For every student- athlete, including myself, we truly appreciate it." In her first season at Iowa, Fujitani played 18 rounds with an average of 76.4 strokes per round. She led the Hawkeyes at the Arizona State Invitational (March 23-25 in Tempe, Arizona) and the Bruzzy Challenge (April 1-3 in Carrollton, Texas). She tied for 13th at the Bruzzy Challenge for her first top 20 effort of her collegiate career. In August, Fujitani was named to a Big Ten Women's Golfers to Watch List along with senior teammates Kristin Glesne and Shawn Rennegarbe. "Everyone needs someone to believe in them," Fujitani said. "Because you believe in me and all of the other student-athletes, it helps us to want to be the best that we can be. ank you for helping us with our future while we are playing the sports that we are so passionate about and giving us the opportunity to wear black and gold and represent the Hawkeyes."