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The Loop

Spaun, Reto claim week's top player honors

__Golf World College Players of the Week

March 19-25__

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J.J. Spaun, San Diego State

The senior from San Dimas, Calif., earned his second and third career victories within a five-day span this past week when he shot a four-under 212 to take the title at the Callaway Farms Invitational and then a 15-under 201 to take the title at the National Invitational Tournament in Tucson. Spaun's total at Omni Tucson National Resort was 24.48 strokes lower than the average 54-hole score in the tournament as he beat runner-up Zack Blair of BYU by four stroke and then was 13-strokes better than the foursome tied in third place.

Spaun's performances were also key to the Aztecs claiming the team title in each event.

"J.J. has taken his leadership role to another level, which we obviously needed these last two weeks," said SDSU men's coach Ryan Donovan. "He has set the tone for what we expect to accomplish as a team and I know the guys will respond. It is always great to win and I am proud of the team and their perseverance. I am fortunate to coach this group of players and I know our experience will help us down the road."

For the season, Spaun has finish T-12 or better in six of his seven starts while posting a 71.10 stroke average.

__WOMEN

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__Paula Reto, Purdue

__Just three weeks after her teammate,Laura Gonzalez-Escallon, tied the school single-round record with a 65 at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic, the junior from South Africa broke the mark with a eight-under 64 at Forest Hills GC in Augusta, Ga., en route to a nine-under 217 and a 10-stroke triumph at the Insperity Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate.

The record-breaking round included birdies on five of her last six holes, including the last four. "I called my coach [Caroline Haase] over on No. 13 and asked her why I was hooking my shots, and she told me to complete my backswing," Reto said. "I did, knocked a 9-iron to five feet, and it was smooth sailing into the clubhouse. I kept giving 100 percent all the way in, taking it one shot at a time and really staying in the moment."

A year ago Reto finished second in the tournament. Combine the six rounds in the two events and Reto has a 69.5 stroke average at Forest Hills GC.

Photos: Courtesy of San Diego State Sports Information Department (Spahn); Jason Barnette/Purdue Sports Information Department