Burbank High’s Maemura ties for second in second Pacific League match

BURBANK — There isn’t anything surprising to Burbank High girls’ golf Coach Branco Sevic when he watches Irene Maemura perform on the course.

Following the second Pacific League match of the season Tuesday at De Bell Golf Club, Sevic praised the senior, who carded a one-over-par 37 to finish tied for second with Arcadia’s Gabbii Lewis.

“She just goes out there and keeps things simple by playing within herself,” Sevic said. “It’s a pleasure to watch her play so well.

“She knows how to position herself well with her management of the course. There’s really nothing you can teach her.”

Maemura, who took third at the league individual final and moved on to the CIF Southern Section Girls’ Golf Individual Final en route to earning a third straight All-Area selection, shared medalist accolades with San Marino’s Elizabeth Wang after carding an even-par 34 during the first league match Sept. 2 at La Cañada Country Club. Bella Setio of San Marino recorded medalist honors Tuesday.

Crescenta Valley finished third overall with a 223. The Falcons also took third in the first league competition. On Tuesday, San Marino posted a 195 to take first, followed by Arcadia (213). Burroughs placed fourth with a 244, followed by Burbank (269) and La Cañada (278) in the six-team match.

Audrey Chung had a 40 for the Falcons, who got a 41 from Andrea Han, 42 from Gina Chung and 50s from Laura Perez and Emily Redecker.

Crescenta Valley Coach Lee Pope said the Falcons are looking to jell.

“You just can’t flip the switch and have everybody shooting 39s,” said Pope, the reigning All-Area Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year. “They are definitely all trying hard, but golf can be a funny sport sometimes.

“It’s still early in the season and we think we can turn things around and get lower scores.”

Bella Nava finished with a 46 for Burroughs, which served as the host team. The Indians also got a 47 from Maddie Riggs, 50s from Katrina Villareal and Raelinn Arnold and a 51 from Annie Adachi.

“I played it smart by keeping the balls in the fairways,” Nava said. “A lot of people just want to hit the ball, long, but I just focus on keeping it in the fairways so it can set me up for putting well.”

Amy Tran finished with a 45 for the Bulldogs, who got a 53 from Alexis Poche, 65 from Erin Tanner and a 69 from Caitlyn Brooks.

La Cañada was paced by Keilee Bessho, who finished with a 42. Also scoring for the Spartans were Rachel Oh with a 50, Hannah Chew (58), Emma McGuinness (59) and Andie Chung (69).

La Cañada Coach Rich Wheeler, the reigning All-Area Boys’ Golf Coach of the Year, said the Spartans have plenty of time to switch gears.

“The season isn’t washed away,” Wheeler said. “We are still learning the ropes, and it’s just about growing and developing right now.

“We’ll see what happens because maybe one of our players may survive down the stretch. You just never know.”

The next league match will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 1 at Brookside Golf Course No. 2 in Pasadena.