Crescenta Valley High girls’ golf places fourth in league match
ALHAMBRA — Through the first four Pacific League matches, the Crescenta Valley High girls’ golf team finished no worse than third place.
A top-three spot in league and a trip to the CIF Southern Section playoffs are the ultimate goals for the Falcons, but they stumbled during the fifth league match at Almansor Golf Course on Tuesday with a 222 for fourth place.
“We’re still in third place [behind San Marino and Arcadia], but it’s a little deflating right now with this effort,” said Crescenta Valley Coach Lee Pope, the reigning All-Area Girls’ Golf Coach of the Year. “Now, we have to find a way to turn it around going into the next match.
“We have to try to get our momentum back and play like we did in the other league matches.”
Crescenta Valley received a one-over-par 37 from Andrea Han and a 38 from Audrey Chang. The Falcons competed without Gina Chung for an unspecified reason.
Crescenta Valley also got a 47 from Gloria Namkung and 50s from Emily Redecker and Ani Gharapetian.
Burbank senior Irene Maemura carded a 37 to pace the Bulldogs. San Marino’s Elizabeth Wang fired a 31 to secure medalist accolades.
Burbank Coach Branco Sevic said Maemura, a reigning All-Area honoree, encountered some struggles on the greens.
“The greens just got to her again,” Sevic said. “They were very tough and she couldn’t make some of her putts. I think she’ll bounce back heading into the next match.”
San Marino won its fifth straight league match, posting a 183 on its home course. Arcadia took second with a 190, followed by Burroughs (219). La Cañada finished fifth with a 231 and Burbank placed sixth at 266.
Burroughs was led by Maddie Riggs, a sophomore who carded a 41.
Riggs said she’s elevated her game recently.
“I had a practice round recently,” Riggs said. “I just feel like my ball-striking has gotten a lot better.
“My goal coming into a round is to get a 45 or lower, so I’m happy with what I shot [Tuesday]. I felt like I could have made a couple of more putts, but otherwise it was good.”
Burroughs, which had finished fourth in each of its first four league matches, received 44s from Ashley Phelps, Bella Nava and Annie Adachi. Raelinn Arnold added a 46 for the Indians.
La Cañada finished fifth for the third straight match. The Spartans got a 37 from senior Keilee Bessho.
“I started off my round doing pretty well,” Bessho said. “I was one-under through five holes and I just wanted to continue to play it safe.
“On the last couple of holes, I had some things go against me. I’m putting real well right now and I have a lot of confidence with my overall game.”
The Spartans also got a 43 from Rachel Oh, 44 from Hannah Chew, 50 from Emma McGuinness and a 58 from Sophia Cham.
Burbank received 43s from Amy Tran and Alexis Poche and a 62 from Erin Tanner.
The next league match will be held Oct. 8 at a time and site to be determined. The league final will be held 8 a.m. Oct. 14 at River Ridge Golf’ Club’s Vineyard Course in Oxnard.
