Area’s best is up for grabs

There was no doubt who the best girls’ golfer in the area was the last few seasons.

Along with past area standouts Grace Woo and Moah Chang of Burbank High, Burroughs star Emily Tubert is among a small elite group of golfers who have made their marks on the local high school scene.

Before graduating in May, Tubert cemented herself as one of the top athletes — regardless of sport — to come from the school. Along with qualifying for postseason play all four years, she also won back-to-back Pacific League championships and captured a CIF Southern Section individual title last season.

However, with Tubert gone and now attending the University of Arkansas, the field is wide open for another player to step up and take over the mantle as the area’s best.

Both Burroughs and Burbank have golfers who could contend for that spot.

Here is a look as how the season is shaping up.

BURROUGHS

Behind Tubert, the Indians placed second in the Pacific League last season.

“I think we have more of a complete team this year,” Burroughs Coach Greg Everhart. “It is tough losing a player the caliper of Emily. But last year it was kind of Emily and the rest of the girls. This year I think we have a good balance of players and we have more girls who I’m expecting to step up.”

Leading the way for the Indians is Ravipa Losakul, a junior, who is a two-time All-Area honoree.

Last season, Losakul placed third in the Pacific League, shooting rounds of 78 and 82 for a two-day total of 160 in the league final. She placed fourth in 2008 as a freshman.

Everhart said Losakul has improved, as he thinks she should have a legitimate shot at vying for the league championship.

“She plays in a lot of tournaments, and she’s been playing a lot during the summer,” he said. “She should be right up there in the battle for the championship.”

Everhart said another returner, junior Jasmine Daniel, should be a strong competitor as well. Senior Shelby Crawford and sophomore Alex Chandler are also expected to contribute.

A freshman Everhart is impressed with is Joany Gao.

“She plays a lot of tournaments as well,” he said. “She is a pretty good player for a freshman.”

In the battle for the league title, Everhart said he expects Arcadia and Crescenta Valley to be tough.

BURBANK

The Bulldogs placed third in league last season, and along with the Indians, advanced to the Central Team Divisional.

With just two returners, Burbank Coach Branco Sevic said he is hoping his squad will be competitive this season.

“I think that we have a good group of girls,” he said. “We are going to be young, and we don’t have a lot of experience. But I’m hoping that we’ll be able to improve.”

One of the returners is sophomore Tess Apinchapong. An All-Area honoree last season, she made an instant impact in her first year with the Bulldogs, finishing tied for sixth (85-88 —173) in the Pacific League tournament. She was the team’s highest finisher.

Also returning is junior Haley Pirruccello, who is also a successful runner on the school’s track team.

Joining Burbank this season is senior Jordan Card, who has showed off her versatility at the school. Along with being a standout girls’ water polo player, earning all-league honors last season, Card is also a talented thrower in the track and field program.

Senior Lira Kim, who saw some time on varsity a year ago, along with sophomore Melanie Cho, should be the team’s top scorers.

“I expect that Arcadia should have a very good team, and Burroughs could be second,” Sevic said. “After that it should be a dog fight for the other spots.”