Maria José Marin was 2,300 miles from home and barely old enough to legally drive a car when she stepped on the Arkansas campus last fall. She was unfazed to be that far from home at such a young age, but the driving thing took some time.
The then 17-year-old Marin was regarded as one of the top amateur golfers in the world when she arrived, and she backed that up with a tremendous freshman year for the Razorbacks.
She was voted by the WholeHogSports staff as our pick for Arkansas freshman of the year.
Among the long list Marin's accomplishments:
• Was named WGCA first team All-American
• Was on the WGCA All-Freshman team
• Was the SEC Freshman of the Year
• Was named to the All-SEC Freshman team
Only two other times has an Arkansas golfer been named the SEC Freshman of the Year.