2019-20 Women's Golf Roster
Mariana Ocano
- Height:
- 5-4
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- St. Petersburg, Fla.
- High School:
- St. Petersburg
Personal Records
Low Round Score — 67 • Low Round vs. Par — -5
2019-20: Represents the women’s golf team on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council • Competed in four events throughout her senior season • Began the year at the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational • Fired a low round 76 in the fall at the Landfall Tradition • Opened the spring season at the Moon Golf Invitational, shooting 71 in the first round • Concluded the season at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate before the COVID-19 pandemic.
2018-19: Finished 56th at the ACC Championships with a low second round (75) • Earned her best individual finish at the Brickyard Intercollegiate, shooting -1 (73-70) to tie for seventh • Also shot one-under in her first competition of the season after opening the Mason Rudolph Championship with her best round of the season (69-74) for 15th • Named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
2017-18: Season stroke average of 75.82 • Started for the Tar Heels in all but the first tournament • Was the low-finisher for the Tar Heels at the ACC Championship (T23, +7) and the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate (T11, +6) • Tied an ACC Championship record at the Grandover Resort East Course with her 5-under 67 in round two – a career low • Shot five rounds under par this season.
2016-17: Competed in five tournaments • Started for the Tar Heels at the Mercedes-Benz Collegiate • Competed as an individual at The Landfall Tradition, the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate and the River Landing Classic • Her best round was an even-par 72 at the River Landing Classic where she finished tied for fourth with a 3-over-par 219 • Ended the season with a 76.60 stroke average • Was named a WGCA All-America Scholar • Named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll.
Amatuer: Finished sixth at the AJGA at Vinoy in 2014 • Finished top-20 in the Florida State Golf Association Women’s Amateur Championship • Placed top-10 in several Florida Junior tournaments • Third-place finish at the Mustang Invitational in 2015 • 2013 Saint Petersburg City Amateur Champion.
Prep: Competed as the No. 1 seed on her high school team all four years • Named team MVP and captain • Earned first team All-Conference three years • Top-10 at the FHSAA state finals • Regional winner in 2015 • Averaged 34.6 strokes in team matches her senior year • Graduated with a 4.7 GPA and finished in the top five percent of her class • President of the Spanish Club • Founder and Vice President of Table Tennis Association • Member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society • AP Scholar • Mentor for the First Tee program • Volunteered in her community and at a school for children with Down Syndrome • Active member of Rojans.
Personal: Parents are Juan and Bebe Ocano • Mother is an amazing artist • Loves her little brother Lucas who is an awesome soccer goalie • Majoring in business administration in the Kenan Flagler Business School.
Ocano's Career Tournament Results
Fall 2016
Mercedes-Benz Collegiate............................................... 74-73-76-223, +10 (T45)
*Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational..................................... 77-75-80-232, +16 (T76)
*The Landfall Tradition...................................................... 79-84-74-237, +21 (83)
Spring 2017
*Darius Rucker Intercollegiate.......................................... 81-80-77-238, +25 (T78)
*River Landing Classic..................................................... 74-72-73-219, +3 (T4)
Fall 2017
*Ocean Course Invitational................................................ 79-73-78-230, +11 (T43)
Mason Rudolph Championship.......................................... 79-72-75-226, +10 (T62)
Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational....................................... 81-71-74-226, +10 (T67)
Battle at the Beach............................................................. 78-78-74-230, +17 (T66)
Spring 2018
Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate..................................... 80-79-82—241, +25 (79)
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate............................................. 73-76-70—219, +6 (T11)
BYU at Entrada Classic...................................................... 72-75-77—224, +8 (T23)
Briar’s Creek Invitational.................................................... 78-73-71—222, +6 (T30)
Bryan National Collegiate................................................... 78-75-78—231, +15 (T45)
ACC Championship............................................................ 77-67-79—223, +7 (T23)
NCAA San Francisco Regional.......................................... 79-80-71—230, +14 (T79)
Fall 2018
*Mason Rudolph Championship......................................... 69-74–143, -1 (T15)
Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational....................................... 78-79-75–232, +16 (T71)
The Landfall Tradition......................................................... 78-78-76–232, +16 (T58)
Spring 2019
Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate...................................... 76-73-72–221, +5 (T15)
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate.............................................. 84-80-77–241, +28 (T86)
*Bryan National Collegiate.................................................. 80-76-70–226, +10 (T40)
*Brickyard Collegiate........................................................... 73-70–143, -1 (T7)
ACC Championship............................................................. 80-75-81–236, +20 (56)
Fall 2019
*Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational............................84-80-79–243, +27 (95)
*The Landfall Tradition..............................................77-76-78–231, +15 (T73)
Spring 2020
Moon Golf Invitational..............................................71-75-76–222, +6 (T41)
Darius Rucker Intercollegiate..................................71-74-83–228, +15 (T50)
* - competed as an individual
More on Ocano
Why I chose Carolina: Everything at UNC is so special, both the academics and athletics are great, the coaches and team are amazing and the school atmosphere and spirit is unparalleled.
My favorite pre-match ritual: I always have to make 3 putts before heading to the first tee.
The best thing about Coach Mann is: How understanding and caring she is. She believes in everyone and knows exactly how to motivate us.
The best thing about being a Tar Heel Golfer: Being a part of such an amazing team.
The best thing about going to school at Carolina is: I love being surrounded by smart and motivated individuals who push me to be better every day.
My advice for incoming freshmen is: Work hard and have fun.
At 150 yards, I pull out my: 7-iron
My favorite club in my bag is my: 56-degree wedge
My favorite golf course: Kinlock Golf Club (Manakin-Sabot, Vt.) or Bellair Country Club (Clearwater, Fla.)
I would rather practice for an hour on the driving range or putting green: Putting green
My golf superstitions/rituals are: I always have to make 3 putts before heading to the first tee.
Person I would like to play a round of golf with: Michael Phelps
Favorite athlete: Lionel Messi
Favorite golfer: Gene Sauers
Favorite place to be: Lago Atitlan, Guatemala
If I could compete in any other sport on a collegiate level, it would be: Soccer
Hobbies: Going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, and doing yoga
Hidden talents: I can do the worm
Post-school ambitions: To love whatever I'm doing. I hope to be able to do business with people in South America or work for a non-profit
If I could go on any reality TV show, I would go on: Shark Tank
Favorite TV show: Grey's Anatomy
If I had to describe myself in one word it would be: Caring
