RAPID CITY - Adriana Niclotti traveled a long ways to get to the NAIA Women's Golf National Championships, and now that she is here she is making the most of her opportunity.

Niclotti who is originally from Gramado, Brazil came to the United States two years ago and she has been dreaming of a national championship ever since.

That dream may become a reality for Niclotti who is currently the leader at the NAIA women's golf national championships after firing a 71 on Day 1 and a 78 on Day 2 for a score of 5-over par, one shot ahead of second place.

"I have been practicing a lot preparing for this." Niclotti said. "The first day I just came here and said 'I'm going to do my best' so I think that has helped because I just relaxed and played the way I know how."

Niclotti's golfing story starts at the age of 9 when she used to go to work with her mother at the local golf course in Gramado.

"I grew up at the golf course, I only lived about five minutes away so I was there playing all the time." She said. "Then I started playing competitively when I was 12, and I won the first tournament I ever played in."

Soon after Niclotti started playing golf she was noticed by the Brazilian national team head coach, and from there she went on to play for the junior national team for the next five years until the age of 18 when she decided to leave home and go to school at California Baptist University.

"I just wanted to come to California, and I knew Cal Baptist would be a good place to start my career. I love being close to the beach and being able to play golf year round. Everyone wants to go to California because it's perfect." She said.

Niclotti said she misses home, especially her family, but she will stay in the United States after graduation because the opportunities are better here.

"I love Brazil, and I miss my family very much. But I see a lot of problems there. The economy is tough, and it is a lot harder to move forward," she said. "I never planned on staying in the United States, but once I got here I realized the opportunity's I've been blessed with and decided to stay."

Niclotti said she speaks with her family three or four times a week, and each time she talks with them they can't wait to hear how she is doing on the golf course.

"My family thinks I can win it," said Niclotti. "But that is how families are. I know there are a lot of good players here and so I'm just hoping and playing my best and I will see what happens."