Park Regaining Form for Villa Park

Villa Park High may find the consistency it has been searching for when top player Priscilla Park returns to the team full time.

Park, who tied for second in the Southern Section individual championships last year, has missed several matches because of recruiting trips to the East Coast the last two weeks. With an increased focus on academics--Ivy League schools are among those she is considering--Park reduced her practice time and has yet to break par this year.

“She will [break par] before the season is done,” Villa Park Coach Gordon Sutorius said. “Her mom promised me that she’s going to get back to her normal practice routine.”

The Spartans’ depth has kept them afloat, and Sutorius expects a strong finish to the season. Villa Park finished fourth in the Southern Section last year and third in 1999.

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Secret’s out: Palos Verdes Peninsula hasn’t made much noise about its 10-0 start, but a victory in the Burbank tournament at DeBell Golf Course last week makes it hard to ignore the Panthers.

The Panthers, averaging 215 at Palos Verdes Country Club, did not qualify for the Southern Section finals last year, but an influx of talent has vaulted them into the Southland’s upper echelon.

Freshmen Shannon Yocum, Jane Park and Mariko Makabe, and sophomore Annika Windon, a transfer from Chadwick, have joined senior Julie Kim, the team’s top player, to give the Panthers one of the region’s deepest lineups. “Yeah, we’ve been kind of quiet,” Coach Bob Wilton said. “But I guess we couldn’t keep it that way.”

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Sunset battle, part II: Top-ranked Marina and No. 4 Esperanza play the second of their Sunset League showdowns Thursday at Yorba Linda Country Club. Last time they met, Marina squeaked out a 212-218 victory at its home course. “We’re ready,” said Esperanza Coach Mike Davis, whose team has the home-course advantage this time. The Aztecs fired a 198 Tuesday at Cypress Golf Club. It’s believed to be the first Southland girls’ team score under 200 on a regulation course this year.

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No cause for alarm: Long Beach Wilson shot 219 last week, routine for one of the Southland’s top teams, but impressive considering it was the Bruins’ worst score of the year.