Central Valley High School’s girls golf program had four individuals compete at the Central California Conference Mid-Season Tournament on Sept. 23 in Chowchilla.
“I thought all the girls did well,” head coach Kelly Wheelock said. “They exceeded my expectations. It was a tough course.”
Junior Kaylee Almanza led the Hawks with a 43-over-par 115 on the Pheasant Run Golf Course.
Junior Lucia Bernal and senior Lina Bernal shot 130 and 131, respectively.
“They all set their personal bests for an 18-hole tournament,” Wheelock said. “They’re improving. They come to practice. They work on it.”
Freshman Kalaieda Bernal rounded out Central Valley’s scorecard with a 132.
It was her first time competing at an 18-hole tournament.
“She played well,” Wheelock said. “She had fun.”
The Hawks didn’t have enough players to post a team score at the CCC tourney.
Central Valley had just four players in uniform.
Merced (489), Buhach Colony (527), Golden Valley (529), Atwater (645), El Capitan (671) and Patterson (677) placed first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.
“It is what it is,” Wheelock said.
Central Valley faces a competitive disadvantage due to its schedule.
All of the Hawks’ matches are played on the road.
“Other schools don’t have to do what we do,” Wheelock said. “Our kids don’t have the luxury of leaving school during the last period of the day. They’re missing two class periods twice a week regardless of where we’re playing, still do their homework and are successful at it. It’s a huge commitment for the girls. It takes a lot of dedication and head strength to get through that. They want to commit to their academics. You can’t fault them for that.”
Dawgs win twice
Ceres High’s girls golf program improved to 4-4 in the WAC standings after topping Grace Davis twice by forfeit in a three-day span this past week.
The Spartans weren’t able to post team scores due to their thin lineup.
Junior Alysabeth Marquez carded a team-best 33 while competing against shorthanded Grace Davis on Thursday at St. Stanislaus.
Briana Tsurui, Brooke Trio, Allison Lewis and Cassydi Wright finished with rounds of 50, 51, 56 and 59, respectively.
Tsurui, Trio and Lewis are freshmen.
Wright is a junior.
Marquez paced the Bulldogs with a 44 on Sept. 21 at Dryden Park.
Tsurui, Trio, Wright and Lewis shot 61, 73, 76 and 79, respectively.
