3 Hawkeyes Named Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Three University of Iowa women’s golfers, Ximena Benites, Paige Giovenco and Maura Peters, have been named to the Big Ten Women’s Golf Preseason Players to Watch list, the conference announced Wednesday.

Benites and Peters return after posting Iowa’s top two scoring averages last season, while Giovenco joined the program following an All-America freshman campaign at UIndy.

Benites posted a 74.48 scoring average over 31 rounds last season. The Academic All-Big Ten honoree recorded two top-20 finishes and eight rounds at or below par.

At UIndy, Giovenco earned WGCA honorable mention All-America honors and was named the unanimous GLVC Freshman of the Year. She posted a 74.20 adjusted scoring average with six top-10 finishes and nine top-20 finishes.

Peters posted a team-best 74.06 scoring average over 31 rounds last season. The Academic All-Big Ten honoree recorded two top-10 finishes and four top-20 finishes, with all 31 rounds counting toward Iowa’s team score.

The Hawkeyes return to action Sept. 13-15 at the Badger Invitational at University Ridge in Madison, Wis.