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Bulldogs edge out Hawks at WAC Mid-Season tourney
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Emily Almanza helped lead Central Valleys varsity girls golf team to a fourth-place finish at the Western Athletic Conference Mid-Season Tournament on Sept. 26 in Chowchilla. - photo by Courier file photo

Ceres High's and Central Valley's varsity girls golf teams posted identical scores of 685 while competing at the Western Athletic Conference Mid-Season Tournament last week in Chowchilla.

The Bulldogs won the tiebreaker on their way to securing a third-place finish in a field of six on Sept. 26 at Pheasant Run Golf Course.

"They had a better score (as a team) on the third hole," Hawks head coach Kelly Wheelock said. "They beat us by two strokes."

"I didn't really have a goal," Ceres High head coach Brandon Dunn said. "Finishing third is way above anything I expected. The girls are happy. I'm super proud of them."

Livingston (576) and Los Banos (657) took first and second, respectively, in the team standings.

Ceres High and Central Valley topped Patterson and Pacheco.

"We're not satisfied," said Wheelock, whose team compiled a 3-2 record en route to a third-place finish during the first half of the WAC dual season. "We could have done better. We left some shots out there. We'll get better."

Hawk freshman Amelia Daoheung fired a 33-over-par 105 on her way to a fourth-place finish in the individual standings.

Livingston's Annie Winton (89), Los Banos' Morgan Pimentel (96) and Livingston's Angeline Rice (101) took first, second and third, respectively.
"She (Amelia) could have finished in the top three," Wheelock said. "She missed a couple putts."

Hawk teammates Paulina Diaz, Esmeralda Lopez, Emily Almanza and Fiona Gay rounded out Central Valley's scorecard with 137, 143, 145 and 155, respectively.

Bailey Showen led the Bulldogs with a 117.

Ariana Medina, Alexandra Potts, Benia Torres and Izabell McMurray shot 123, 142, 147 and 153, respectively.

"They were relaxed and had fun," Dunn said. "This should boost their confidence knowing they can compete with other girls with more experience. I'm excited for the rest of the year."

Wheelock and Dunn both talked about the challenges of competing at Pheasant Run.

"It's tough playing 18 holes," Kelly said. "The course is really long. There's a lot of water."

"There are quite a few ponds out there," Brandon said. "The greens are a lot faster and bigger than what the girls are used to."