Police have charged a 22-year-old man with murder after champion college golfer Celia Barquin Arozamena was found dead Monday morning at the Coldwater Links golf course in Iowa.
Barquin Arozamena, the 2018 Big 12 champion and Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year, was assaulted before she died but a cause of death has yet to be determined, according to police.
Collin Daniel Richards, who has no known address, has been charged in her death.
A native of Spain, 22-year-old Barquin Arozamena was pursuing a degree in civil engineering but her golf career was also on solid footing as she was ranked No. 69 nationally by Golfweek and had just played in the women’s U.S. Open Championship.
“We are all devastated,” said Iowa State head women’s golf coach Christie Martens. “Celia was a beautiful person who was loved by all her teammates and friends. She loved Iowa State and was an outstanding representative for our school. We will never forget her competitive drive to be the best and her passion for life.”
Barquin Arozamena will be honored during Iowa State’s home football game Saturday.
“This is a tragic and senseless loss of a talented young woman and an acclaimed student-athlete,” said ISU president Dr. Wendy Wintersteen. “We mourn with her family and friends in Spain, her teammates here and all who knew her. On behalf of the entire Cyclone family, I extend our deep condolences to Celia’s family and her many friends and teammates at Iowa State. We are deeply saddened.”
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