Golf champ Rylee Salome commits to play at NMSU

BELEN — “I felt from the beginning that was the direction I was headed.”

For Rylee Salome, that direction was due south. The three-time state 4A golf champion for Belen verbally committed to compete at New Mexico State University.

“I feel so great with my decision,” Salome said Tuesday night after arriving in Belen, fresh off winning the Centennial Invitational in Las Cruces. “I’m so happy that I get to stay close to home.”

As one of the best high school golfers ever in New Mexico, Salome had plenty of options, ticking off a list of about ten schools that she talked with including UTEP, Kansas, Illinois, Colorado State, Nevada and San Diego State.

However, it was NMSU that had the inside track. Salome has several ties to the school, including her father, who attended NMSU.

“It’s an all-around good fit,” Salome believes, praising NMSU coach Danny Bowen, who has been following Salome since she was in the eighth grade. “The girls on the team are great. The athletic department, the community.”

Even though the Aggies were the frontrunner, Salome wanted to go through the recruiting experience, which she called, “A very interesting process. Fun, but sometimes stressful. It made me sure that NMSU was 100 percent the right place.”

The official national letter of intent signing period begins in early November. Until she arrives on the Las Cruces campus, Salome will continue to fine-tune her game.

In May, Salome will represent Belen High School, coached by Donald Marquez, in the state championships and try for a record-tying fourth title.

Salome, who lives in Tomé and studies through the Liberty University Online Academy, will pursue a business degree at NMSU, with the eventual goal of becoming a veterinarian.

“I want to thank the community for always supporting me throughout these years. I really appreciate it.”