Radley Signs Kiara Romero, No. 1 Player in 2023 Class

EUGENE, Ore. Oregon Women’s golf head coach Derek Radley made a big splash to kick off National Signing Day on Wednesday with the signing of Kiara Romero, the No. 1 ranked player in the class of 2023 by Golfweek.

A native of San Jose, Calif., Romero will join the Ducks next fall for the 2023-24 season. Romero is a three-time Rolex Junior all-American after earning first-team honors once again earlier this month.

“Kiara is an absolute superstar both on and off the course,” Radley said. “She has proven, Incredible success at the junior level and is completely deserving of the No. 1 ranking in the 2023 class. Coach Monica (Vaughn) and I can’t wait to get her to Eugene and watch her Talent soar on college golf’s biggest stage. Kiara comes from an Incredible family including her amazing parents Rick and Maricel, who love and support all three of their children.”

Golfweek credits Romero with a stellar 553-40-13 overall record on the junior circuit, including 109-23-6 vs. top-25 competitors and 191-26-8 vs. top 50.

Romero was the individual medalist at the 2021 California Junior Championship, and most recently placed third overall at the 2022 Girl’s Junior PGA Championship after tying for ninth at the US Girl’s Junior Championship. She has placed in the top 10 in every event she’s played this year, including tying for fourth at the Albane Valenzuela Girls Invitational with two rounds of 69.