LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Women's Golf Head Coach Danny Bowen has announced the promotion of former Aggie student-athlete Valentina Origel to assistant coach after serving as a graduate assistant during the 2025-26 season.
 
A three-year member of the Aggie program from 2021-24, Origel returns to a full-time coaching role after helping support the program as a graduate assistant in her first year under Bowen.
 
"I'm excited to announce elevating Vale to a full time position with the team," said Head Coach Danny Bowen. "Her commitment to developing student-athletes, knowledge of the game and enthusiasm for our girls are going to make a positive impact towards the continued growth of our program on a daily basis."
 
As a player, Origel competed in 64.5 career rounds for NM State from 2021-24, compiling a 76.3 career scoring average.
 
As a senior in 2023-24, the native of Irapuato, Mexico, recorded a 74.7 scoring average, the best mark of her collegiate career. She posted career bests that included a low round of 70 and a 54-hole score of 218 at the Golf Iconic Classic, where she earned a season-best finish of tied for 24th.
 
With Origel's help during the 2023-24 campaign, the Aggies captured the GCU Invitational team title, finished runner-up at both the Golfweek Red Sky Classic and Conference USA Championship and recorded seven top-five team finishes.
 
Following the conclusion of her playing career, Origel transitioned into coaching, serving as a graduate assistant during the 2025-26 season. In that role, she assisted with daily operations, player development, recruiting and tournament preparation while gaining experience on the coaching side of the program.
 
In her first season on staff, the Aggies submitted three top-five finishes as a team, including a second place finish at the Clash at Boulder Creek, where the squad submitted a program record 54-hole score of 844 (-20) to come in second among the 18-team field.
 
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