Girls’ Golf Preview: Experienced Burroughs eyes another CIF postseason appearance
By virtue of having the bulk of its lineup coming back, including a pair of reigning All-Area selections, the Burroughs High girls’ golf team is hoping to move up in the competitive Pacific League and qualify for the CIF postseason.
Burbank will return its standout player in its quest to improve.
Here’s a closer look at the prospects of the two city girls’ golf teams for 2016.
BURROUGHS
Burroughs enjoyed a promising campaign in 2015, finishing third in the Pacific League behind San Marino and Arcadia. San Marino took fourth at the CIF Southern Section/Women’s Southern California Golf Assn. team championship and reached the CIF Southern California Regional.
Under coach Greg Everhart, the Indians finished 12th in the 20-team CIF Southern Section Northern Individual Tournament.
Buoyed by the return of its core group, Burroughs looks to move up in league and earn a return trip to the playoffs in October.
“It’s really a great dynamic we have,” said Everhart, the reigning All-Area Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year. “We showed what we could do last year and they are hungry to do it again.
“I think we have a shot to push for second place in league. This could be one of our most successful teams, but you have to go out and make shots. We’re ready to get started.”
Burroughs should have a deep squad that will include seniors Ashley Phelps, Raelinn Arnold, Maddie Riggs and Bella Nava. Phelps and Arnold received All-Area accolades after finishing 10th and 12th, respectively, in the league’s individual tournament. Phelps has picked up All-Area recognition the past two seasons. Riggs and Nava will be counted on to provide the Indians with experience and leadership.
Junior Annie Adachi and sophomores Abbie Riggs and Gabija Petrulis will be expected to provide more balance toward the bottom of the lineup.
BURBANK
It turned out to be a frustrating season last year for the Bulldogs, who didn’t have enough players to field a complete team and finished last in the six-team Pacific League. However, Burbank had a bright spot with the play of Amy Tran.
Tran, a junior and reigning All-Area honoree, finished 11th in the league individual tournament and will try to earn advancement to the league final for the first time.
“We should have four players in the lineup and we’ll look to find a fifth,” Burbank Coach Branco Sevic said. “I like the potential, but I just need to see them play some more. We’ll see how they come through in practice and make the lineup determinations.
“It’s great to have Amy back. She’s been practicing all summer and the goal will be to try to get her to the league final.”
Junior Erin Tanner and sophomore Olga-Marie Davis return to the Bulldogs, who will also have senior Kaylee Jensen, juniors Gabby Toczsek, Macie Jensen and Michiko Srinutthakul and sophomore Pawee Akkharachotmongkol vying to crack the lineup.
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Charles Rich, charles.rich@latimes.com
Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich
