Photo by: Columbia University Athletics
Columbia Women's Golf Announces Class of 2022
7/6/2018 7:25:00 AM | Women's Golf
Three golfers join 2018-19 Lions including Alexis Florio, Marlene Tartaro and Jennifer Wang.
NEW YORK—Columbia women's golf coach Amy Weeks officially announced the program's Class of 2022 recruiting class on Wednesday. Columbia will welcome three golfers to the 2018-19 team including Alexis Florio (Cranston, R.I./Cranston West H.S.), Marlene Tartaro (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional H.S) and Jennifer Wang (Solon, Ohio/Solon H.S.).
"All three members of the class of 2022 are very unique in their experiences, backgrounds and what they each bring to the Columbia community," Columbia Head Coach Amy Weeks said. "All three players are well-rounded student athletes with a vast array of interests outside of golf. As golfers, they have all excelled at the national junior level and competed against the best players in the world. We believe that this class will represent Columbia with great pride and carry our program forward."
The three student-athletes join five returning letterwinners including rising senior captain Amy Ding, junior Emily Chu and sophomores Kim Chiang, Katie Lee and Qingy Symba Xu.
Columbia is coming off a 2017-18 season which saw its youthful team place fourth in the Ivy League Championships.
2017 WOMEN'S GOLF SIGNEES
ALEXIS FLORIO
First-Year | 5-7 | Cranston, R.I./Cranston West H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2018 graduate of Cranston West High School, where she played four years of girls and Co-Ed golf for Head Coach Joe Salimeno … Qualified for the 2017 U.S. Women's Amateur … Four-time First Team All-State Girls selection … Four-time First Team All-State Co-Ed Golf Central Division honoree …. Won the 2017 Rhode Island Girls Golf State Championship as an individual with a 79, tied for sixth in the Boy's State Championships, then won back-to-back junior events, the World Series of Golf and the New England Junior PGA Championship … Named the 2017 Providence Journal All-State Girls Golf Player of the Year … Two-time Cranson Herald Golfer of the Year (2016, 2017) … Earned 2017 Rhode Island Golf Coaches Association First Team All-State in boys division … Named a WPRI Hometown Hero … Three-year team captain … Earned 2016 AJGA Transmerica Junior Scholastic Honor Roll honors … Voted Golfer of the Year by the Cranston Herald as a sophomore … Placed sixth out of 121 in the Boy's State Championship as a freshman … Member of the National Honor Society … Involved in a variety of community service activities including teaching religion education to third graders at her church and volunteering at the Girls Independent Golf League by mentoring and coaching young girls in Rhode Island Massachusetts … Home golf course is Alpine Country Club … Involved in a variety of community service activities … Involved with the Girl's Independent Golf League, whose goal is to help make golf more fun for girls and facilitates more of a team experience for youth players … Began a leadership program at her high school entitled Mission I'm Possible, with the purpose to help empower and develop leadership skills in students throughout her community … Also served as a mentor and coach for a Sunday night girl's golf league for girls ages 7-14
PERSONAL
Born Alexis Margaret Florio on June 11, 2000 in Providence, R.I. … Daughter of Peter and Denise Florio … Father graduated from Boston College and mother attended Bryant … Hails from an athletic family as her father played golf at Boston College and mother played both basketball and volleyball at Bryant … Nickname is Lex or Lexi … Hobbies and interests include yoga, travel, finding local eateries and new places … Writes lefthanded but plays golf righthanded … Began playing golf as a 12-year-old … Loves golf because each shot is different and one can play so many different courses, which allows an individual to travel to unique places … Favorite sports memory was playing in the 2017 U.S. Women's Amateur … Favorite food is her mother's gravy and calzones … Favorite sports figure: Tom Brady … Has completed a 200-hour Basic EMT course and is currently in the process of preparing for her national registery exam … Chose Columbia because of the opportunity to compete on the women's golf team, play for Head Coach Amy Weeks and attend one of the greatest institutions in one of the greatest cities in the world … Fell in love with the campus the first time she visited … Committed to Columbia in March, 2018 .. Enrolled at Columbia College.
MARLENE TARTARO
First-Year | 5-7 | Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2018 graduate of Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren, N.J., where she played three years of varsity girl's golf for Head Coach Gillian Crisman … Third Team All-State New Jersey selection … Named Skyland Conference Scholar-Athlete representative from Watchung Hills … Named to the 2018 Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team by Optimist International … Three-time captain of the Lady Warriors girl's golf team … Also was a member of the boy's freshman golf team in 2015 … Shot a 73 and earned Trusted Choice Big "I" Regional qualification at Copper Hills Country Club in 2017 … Shot a 77-74 at the Trusted Choice Big "I" National Championship at Annandale Golf Club in 2017 … Shot a 78-79 at the NJPGA University Open in 2016 … Member of the National Honor Society (2017-18) … Earned Principal's Honor Roll honors (2014-18) … Member of the Language Honor Society (Spanish, 2017-18 and Chinese, 2018) … Received New Jersey seal of biliteracy in Spansih … Involved in community service activities including New Jersey Autism, where she recruited members of high school golf teams to assist in raising $190,000 … Also volunteered for the Els for Autism golf program.
PERSONAL
Born Marlene Alexandra Tartaro on June 21, 2000 in Fairfax, Va. … Daughter of Thomas and Marlene Tartaro … Has an older brother Tom and a twin brother Vinny … Father attended Hofstra and mother attended Manhattanville … Cousins Greg and Carl Scaffidi played football at New Mexico (2000-04) and cousin Nicholas Tolen played football at St. Olaf, Minn. (2006-10) … Cousin Dr. Norman Cigar '72 SIPA attended Columbia … Role model is her grandmother, who never stops moving as she continues to hold her nursing license and volunteers to do taxes for elderly people each year … Began playing golf to mimic her older brother … Owns a Black Belt in taekwondo … Grew up playing lacrosse, soccer, tennis basketball and competing in martial arts … Hobbies and interests include baking, animals, food and exploring … Favorite sports figure is Jordan Spieth … Chose Columbia because of the fact that it is a top research institution with a wide range of incredible internship opportunities and the fact that in the span of her four years in college, she will be able to achieve more at Columbia than any other school in the World … Also chose Columbia for its location, students, diversity and setting … Chose Columbia over an offer from Bucknell … Enrolled at Columbia College and intends to major in Neuroscience and Behavior … Has future plans to attend medical school and possibly become a neurosurgeon.
JENNIFER WANG
First-Year | 5-3 | Solon, Ohio/Solon H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2018 graduate of Solon High School, where she earned four varsity letters in golf for Head Coach Damien Kopkas … Qualified for the 2017 United States Girl's Junior Championship as a medalist after shooting a 68 (under-4) … Qualified for the 2017 Girl's Junior PGA Championship by finishing 40th out of 144 golfers … Earned eight AJGA top-10 finishes, including four top-5 finishes … Two-time First Team All-State honoree … Four-time First Team All-Northeast Ohio District honoree (2014-17) … Four-time Conference Player of the Year award-winner (2014-17) … Named as a member of the 2017 AJGA Transamerica Scholastic Junior All-America Team … Four-time team Most Valuable Player honoree … Named team captain as a senior … Currently ranked as the fourth highest girl's golfer in Ohio according to Junior Golf Scoreboard … Invited to play in two AJGA invitationals in 2017: Swinging Skirts Invitational and Rolex Tournament of Champions by AJGA … Earned runner-up honors at the 2017 Ohio Division I Girl's Golf State Tournament … Led the Lady Comets to back-to-back state title appearances in 2016 and 2017, three consecutive Greater Cleveland Conference championships (2015-17) and the 2017 Northeast District Tournament title … The Lady Comets also recorded new team school records for nine hole scoring (150) in Fall, 2017 and 18 hole scoring (310) in Fall, 2015 … Finished in fourth place at the 2016 Ohio Division I Girl's Golf State Tournament … Recognized as the best freshman girl in the state after finishing in 12th place at the 2014 Ohio Division I Girl's Golf State Tournament … In head-to-head competition, guided the Lady Comets to a combined three-year 39-4 record (15-0 in 2015, 11-1 in 2016 and 13-3 in 2017) … Placed third at the AJGA Open at Bellefonte Country Club (2017) … Placed second at the AJGA Junior All-Star at Fox Meadow Country Club (2015) … Finished fourth at the AJGA Open at Cattail Creek Country Club (2016) … Placed fifth at the AJGA Junior All-Star at Fox Meadow Country Club (2014) … Finished sixth at the AJGA Junior All-Star at Mill Creeks Metropark (2016) … Ranked in top-15 out of 429 graduates at Solon … Four-year Honor Roll student … National Honor Society member … Regional finalist in the 2016 Siemens Competition in math, science and technology in 2016 … Member of the Student Promoting Leadership and Principal's Student Leadership Council … Received scholar medallion for golf … Also involved in community service activities including serving as a teacher assistance in AP Biology, math tutor, after-school mathematics teacher and nursing home dance performances.
PERSONAL
Born Jennifer Yingshan Wang on September 1, 2000 in Cleveland, Ohio … Daughter of Kai Wang and Sarah Zhou of Solon, Ohio … Has an older brother Ray … Brother attended Yale University for his undergraduate degree and then went onto attend the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania for his MBA … Both of her parents attended Lanzhou University in China … Father is a physician and mother works in health management ... Role model is her brother Ray because he diligent, persistent and ambitious … Favorite sports memory was shooting a career-low 68 (under-4) to qualify for the U.S. Junior Girls as the medalist at the qualifier … Performed and competed in competition dance for the last 10 years and won a variety of dance awards … Used to compete in gymnastics, ice skating, enjoys singing and playing the piano … Hobbies and interests include dancing, traveling, photography, exploring the outdoors … Favorite sports figure: Lebron James … Chose Columbia for its abundant resources and the fact that New York City will have countless opportunities that could give her great experiences … Chose Columbia over considering all seven other Ivy League schools, Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins … Enrolled at Columbia College.
"All three members of the class of 2022 are very unique in their experiences, backgrounds and what they each bring to the Columbia community," Columbia Head Coach Amy Weeks said. "All three players are well-rounded student athletes with a vast array of interests outside of golf. As golfers, they have all excelled at the national junior level and competed against the best players in the world. We believe that this class will represent Columbia with great pride and carry our program forward."
The three student-athletes join five returning letterwinners including rising senior captain Amy Ding, junior Emily Chu and sophomores Kim Chiang, Katie Lee and Qingy Symba Xu.
Columbia is coming off a 2017-18 season which saw its youthful team place fourth in the Ivy League Championships.
2017 WOMEN'S GOLF SIGNEES
| Player | Height | Hometown/Previous School |
| Alexis Florio | 5-7 | Cranston, R.I./Cranston West H.S. |
| Marlene Tartaro | 5-7 | Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional H.S. |
| Jennifer Wang | 5-3 | Solon, Ohio/Solon H.S. |
ALEXIS FLORIO
First-Year | 5-7 | Cranston, R.I./Cranston West H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2018 graduate of Cranston West High School, where she played four years of girls and Co-Ed golf for Head Coach Joe Salimeno … Qualified for the 2017 U.S. Women's Amateur … Four-time First Team All-State Girls selection … Four-time First Team All-State Co-Ed Golf Central Division honoree …. Won the 2017 Rhode Island Girls Golf State Championship as an individual with a 79, tied for sixth in the Boy's State Championships, then won back-to-back junior events, the World Series of Golf and the New England Junior PGA Championship … Named the 2017 Providence Journal All-State Girls Golf Player of the Year … Two-time Cranson Herald Golfer of the Year (2016, 2017) … Earned 2017 Rhode Island Golf Coaches Association First Team All-State in boys division … Named a WPRI Hometown Hero … Three-year team captain … Earned 2016 AJGA Transmerica Junior Scholastic Honor Roll honors … Voted Golfer of the Year by the Cranston Herald as a sophomore … Placed sixth out of 121 in the Boy's State Championship as a freshman … Member of the National Honor Society … Involved in a variety of community service activities including teaching religion education to third graders at her church and volunteering at the Girls Independent Golf League by mentoring and coaching young girls in Rhode Island Massachusetts … Home golf course is Alpine Country Club … Involved in a variety of community service activities … Involved with the Girl's Independent Golf League, whose goal is to help make golf more fun for girls and facilitates more of a team experience for youth players … Began a leadership program at her high school entitled Mission I'm Possible, with the purpose to help empower and develop leadership skills in students throughout her community … Also served as a mentor and coach for a Sunday night girl's golf league for girls ages 7-14
PERSONAL
Born Alexis Margaret Florio on June 11, 2000 in Providence, R.I. … Daughter of Peter and Denise Florio … Father graduated from Boston College and mother attended Bryant … Hails from an athletic family as her father played golf at Boston College and mother played both basketball and volleyball at Bryant … Nickname is Lex or Lexi … Hobbies and interests include yoga, travel, finding local eateries and new places … Writes lefthanded but plays golf righthanded … Began playing golf as a 12-year-old … Loves golf because each shot is different and one can play so many different courses, which allows an individual to travel to unique places … Favorite sports memory was playing in the 2017 U.S. Women's Amateur … Favorite food is her mother's gravy and calzones … Favorite sports figure: Tom Brady … Has completed a 200-hour Basic EMT course and is currently in the process of preparing for her national registery exam … Chose Columbia because of the opportunity to compete on the women's golf team, play for Head Coach Amy Weeks and attend one of the greatest institutions in one of the greatest cities in the world … Fell in love with the campus the first time she visited … Committed to Columbia in March, 2018 .. Enrolled at Columbia College.
MARLENE TARTARO
First-Year | 5-7 | Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2018 graduate of Watchung Hills Regional High School in Warren, N.J., where she played three years of varsity girl's golf for Head Coach Gillian Crisman … Third Team All-State New Jersey selection … Named Skyland Conference Scholar-Athlete representative from Watchung Hills … Named to the 2018 Hugh Cranford All-Scholastic Team by Optimist International … Three-time captain of the Lady Warriors girl's golf team … Also was a member of the boy's freshman golf team in 2015 … Shot a 73 and earned Trusted Choice Big "I" Regional qualification at Copper Hills Country Club in 2017 … Shot a 77-74 at the Trusted Choice Big "I" National Championship at Annandale Golf Club in 2017 … Shot a 78-79 at the NJPGA University Open in 2016 … Member of the National Honor Society (2017-18) … Earned Principal's Honor Roll honors (2014-18) … Member of the Language Honor Society (Spanish, 2017-18 and Chinese, 2018) … Received New Jersey seal of biliteracy in Spansih … Involved in community service activities including New Jersey Autism, where she recruited members of high school golf teams to assist in raising $190,000 … Also volunteered for the Els for Autism golf program.
PERSONAL
Born Marlene Alexandra Tartaro on June 21, 2000 in Fairfax, Va. … Daughter of Thomas and Marlene Tartaro … Has an older brother Tom and a twin brother Vinny … Father attended Hofstra and mother attended Manhattanville … Cousins Greg and Carl Scaffidi played football at New Mexico (2000-04) and cousin Nicholas Tolen played football at St. Olaf, Minn. (2006-10) … Cousin Dr. Norman Cigar '72 SIPA attended Columbia … Role model is her grandmother, who never stops moving as she continues to hold her nursing license and volunteers to do taxes for elderly people each year … Began playing golf to mimic her older brother … Owns a Black Belt in taekwondo … Grew up playing lacrosse, soccer, tennis basketball and competing in martial arts … Hobbies and interests include baking, animals, food and exploring … Favorite sports figure is Jordan Spieth … Chose Columbia because of the fact that it is a top research institution with a wide range of incredible internship opportunities and the fact that in the span of her four years in college, she will be able to achieve more at Columbia than any other school in the World … Also chose Columbia for its location, students, diversity and setting … Chose Columbia over an offer from Bucknell … Enrolled at Columbia College and intends to major in Neuroscience and Behavior … Has future plans to attend medical school and possibly become a neurosurgeon.
JENNIFER WANG
First-Year | 5-3 | Solon, Ohio/Solon H.S.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2018 graduate of Solon High School, where she earned four varsity letters in golf for Head Coach Damien Kopkas … Qualified for the 2017 United States Girl's Junior Championship as a medalist after shooting a 68 (under-4) … Qualified for the 2017 Girl's Junior PGA Championship by finishing 40th out of 144 golfers … Earned eight AJGA top-10 finishes, including four top-5 finishes … Two-time First Team All-State honoree … Four-time First Team All-Northeast Ohio District honoree (2014-17) … Four-time Conference Player of the Year award-winner (2014-17) … Named as a member of the 2017 AJGA Transamerica Scholastic Junior All-America Team … Four-time team Most Valuable Player honoree … Named team captain as a senior … Currently ranked as the fourth highest girl's golfer in Ohio according to Junior Golf Scoreboard … Invited to play in two AJGA invitationals in 2017: Swinging Skirts Invitational and Rolex Tournament of Champions by AJGA … Earned runner-up honors at the 2017 Ohio Division I Girl's Golf State Tournament … Led the Lady Comets to back-to-back state title appearances in 2016 and 2017, three consecutive Greater Cleveland Conference championships (2015-17) and the 2017 Northeast District Tournament title … The Lady Comets also recorded new team school records for nine hole scoring (150) in Fall, 2017 and 18 hole scoring (310) in Fall, 2015 … Finished in fourth place at the 2016 Ohio Division I Girl's Golf State Tournament … Recognized as the best freshman girl in the state after finishing in 12th place at the 2014 Ohio Division I Girl's Golf State Tournament … In head-to-head competition, guided the Lady Comets to a combined three-year 39-4 record (15-0 in 2015, 11-1 in 2016 and 13-3 in 2017) … Placed third at the AJGA Open at Bellefonte Country Club (2017) … Placed second at the AJGA Junior All-Star at Fox Meadow Country Club (2015) … Finished fourth at the AJGA Open at Cattail Creek Country Club (2016) … Placed fifth at the AJGA Junior All-Star at Fox Meadow Country Club (2014) … Finished sixth at the AJGA Junior All-Star at Mill Creeks Metropark (2016) … Ranked in top-15 out of 429 graduates at Solon … Four-year Honor Roll student … National Honor Society member … Regional finalist in the 2016 Siemens Competition in math, science and technology in 2016 … Member of the Student Promoting Leadership and Principal's Student Leadership Council … Received scholar medallion for golf … Also involved in community service activities including serving as a teacher assistance in AP Biology, math tutor, after-school mathematics teacher and nursing home dance performances.
PERSONAL
Born Jennifer Yingshan Wang on September 1, 2000 in Cleveland, Ohio … Daughter of Kai Wang and Sarah Zhou of Solon, Ohio … Has an older brother Ray … Brother attended Yale University for his undergraduate degree and then went onto attend the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania for his MBA … Both of her parents attended Lanzhou University in China … Father is a physician and mother works in health management ... Role model is her brother Ray because he diligent, persistent and ambitious … Favorite sports memory was shooting a career-low 68 (under-4) to qualify for the U.S. Junior Girls as the medalist at the qualifier … Performed and competed in competition dance for the last 10 years and won a variety of dance awards … Used to compete in gymnastics, ice skating, enjoys singing and playing the piano … Hobbies and interests include dancing, traveling, photography, exploring the outdoors … Favorite sports figure: Lebron James … Chose Columbia for its abundant resources and the fact that New York City will have countless opportunities that could give her great experiences … Chose Columbia over considering all seven other Ivy League schools, Stanford, Duke, Northwestern, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgetown and Johns Hopkins … Enrolled at Columbia College.
Players Mentioned
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